Cyathodes straminea

Cyathodes straminea, also known as false-whorled cheeseberry, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae endemic to Tasmania, where it grows as an alpine to subalpine shrub (15–60 cm in height) with a spreading habit. The generic name Cyathodes was derived from Greek "Cyath" = cup and "odes" = like, referring to the ovary encircled by cup-shaped nectary.

Description

A sprawling shrub with many branches. It is usually less than 1 m tall. The leaves are narrow and oval and 1-2 cm long. They are clustered near the ends of each year's growth. The leaves are pale underneath. The flowers are white and bell shaped and occur in clusters. These are near the ends of branches among the leaves. The false berries are flattened and shiny red. Old flowers can remain hanging on the fruit.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though it is more astringent and less palatable than C. glauca.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. They occur in alpine regions on dolerite mountains often growing among rocks. It grows on mountains over 1,000 m altitude. It needs well drained moist soil. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Requires a moist well-drained lime-free humus rich soil in a sheltered site in partial or dappled shade. Plants are very susceptible to drought. A good rock garden plant. Slow growing. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country otherwise it is best grown in a cold greenhouse. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. Plants grow best in areas with moderate winters and cool moist summers. Plants have very fine root systems and great care must be taken when transplanting them.

Propagation

Surface-sow in ericaceous soil in February or March in a cold frame, without excluding light. Germination can occur within one to two months at 18°C but often takes three to five years. Scarification reduces germination time, and two or three cycles of four to six weeks of cold stratification alternated with four weeks of warm stratification can help; sowing seed as soon as it is ripe may also be beneficial. Seedlings are very slow to form roots and must be potted up with great care. Grow on in the greenhouse for at least two years before planting out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July or August in a frame, though neither easy nor reliable. Air layering is another option.

Other Uses

None known

Production

Fruit are present for much of the year.

Notes

There are 10 Cyathodes species in Tasmania. There are about 15 Cyathodes species.

References (9)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 311
• Collier, P., 1995, Alpine Wildflowers of Tasmania. Plant Identikit. Society for growing Australian Plants. Tasmania. p 31
• Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 79
• Kirkpatrick, J., 1997, Alpine Tasmania, An Illustrated guide to the flora and vegetation. Oxford, p 27
• Minchin, R.F., Tasmanian Wildflowers. A Field Guide. Volume one. Regal Publications, Launceston p 92

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