Download Lomatia tinctoria

Lomatia tinctoria
FAMILY: Proteaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Lomatia tinctoria
COMMON NAME: guitarplant
CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE:
Endemic
Hans & Annie Wapstra
Description
Guitarplant is a small shrub that can reach up to 2 m in height but is often smaller.
The dark green leaves are up to 4–8 cm long and leathery in texture. The leaves are
usually divided into 3–7 pairs of small leaflets (pinnae) that are 1–4 cm long and
linear, with either entire or toothed margins and a blunt or pointy apex. The midrib is
usually the only visible vein. New growth can have a rusty colour and is hairless. The
lower leaf surfaces and the axis of the flower spikes, however, have silky hairs. The
flowers can be cream or white and form loose spikes (racemes) in the leaf-stem
junctions (axils) or at the ends of branches, standing well above the leaves. The fruits
are a dry, woody, guitar-shaped follicle, containing a number of winged seeds.
Confusing species
Guitarplant is similar in appearance to Lomatia polymorpha (mountain guitarplant).
They can very easily be distinguished by differences in the leaf shape and flower-head
arrangement. Leaves of Lomatia polymorpha are not pinnately divided like Lomatia
tinctoria but are linear-oblong with entire margins. The flower-heads of Lomatia
polymorpha are dense and compact, whilst flower-heads of Lomatia tinctoria are
much longer and more open.
Flora of Tasmania
Lomatia tinctoria
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution of Lomatia tinctoria in Tasmania 2004 data.
Ecology
Guitarplant is a hardy species that prefers semi-shaded areas. It can tolerate extended
dry periods and will thrive where there is adequate moisture. It can cope with a range
of soil types including very rocky areas, provided drainage is reasonable. Guitarplant
can also tolerate moderate to severe frosts and exposed windy situations.
Like many native plant species, guitarplant is intolerant to phosphorus.
This species is able to regenerate and spread vegetatively by suckering from
underground rhizomes, often forming large patches.
Guitarplant flowers in summer, mainly in January, with the seeds also ripening in
summer. As soon as the fruit, a follicle, is mature it splits, releasing large quantities of
seed.
Potential for Cultivation
Though not widely cultivated, the cultivation potential of this species is high. Seed is
not difficult to germinate, particularly if it is fresh and no pre-treatment is required.
Seedling growth, however, is slow. It is also easy to propagate vegetatively by
cuttings or from suckers produced from underground rhizomes. Cuttings taken
anytime from January to August will usually strike and can be planted out
approximately 8–10 months after striking.
Guitarplant is hardy in cultivation as long, as it gets sufficient moisture, and makes a
very good container plant. The foliage is ideal for cut flower arrangements. The fruits
can be used to make a red dye, hence the specific name ‘tinctoria’, which comes from
the Latin word meaning ‘used in dyeing’.
Information Sources
Cameron, M. (ed.) (1981) Guide to Flowers and Plants of Tasmania. Launceston
Field Naturalists Club and Reed Books, Sydney, NSW
Flora of Tasmania
Lomatia tinctoria
Curtis, W.M. (1967) The Student’s Flora of Tasmania. Part 3. St. David’s Park
Publishing, Hobart
Walsh, N.G. & Entwisle, T.J. (1996) Flora of Victoria. Vol. 3. Inkata Press,
Melbourne.
Understorey Network. Tasmanian Native Species Database. www.understoreynetwork.org.au
Flora of Tasmania