Astroloma epacridis - Heath

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Astroloma epacridis - Heath

This is a WA endemic and common between Ravensthorpe and Albany, plus inland from Perth. However around Esperance it is less so and I only know it from around inland (Mallee) saltlakes, where favouring fine yellow/brown sand/clay loams, similar to ‘Brickies Sand.’ Although elsewhere gravel type soils are also popular.

Astroloma epacridis is quite a variable species in both form and flower colour, but locally it develops into a compact shrub of around ½ metre (20”) in height x 1 metre (40”) wide, with bright scarlet flowers. Apparently elsewhere it can be a sprawling shrub, and/or upright to twice the local height, and/or with pinkish flowers.

Visually the local shrubs with their dark green leaves and compact foliage have a dark appearance, especially in shaded areas, but this habit also accentuates the brightly coloured flowers, which in contrast glow like red opal on a dark background. Flowering time is lengthy and can be anytime of the year, but local weather conditions would determine exactly when.

The sharply pointed leaves are less than 1 cm (3/8”) in length, whilst the flowers are to 1.5 cm (little over ½”) long. Important identification features with this species are the hairless petal tips and the spreading leaves.

Astroloma is part of the Ericaceae (Heath) family, but may also be listed under Epacridaceae.

Astroloma serratifolium – Kondrung

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Astroloma serratifolium – Kondrung

Like most Australian plants in the Ericaceae family (may also be listed under Epacridaceae), Astroloma spp. produce small fleshy berries that are readily consumed by many animals especially birds, but some like Astroloma serratifolium are also eaten by people. This species produces a slightly tart green berry that is/was eaten raw by aborigines and used in jams, pies, etc., by early settlers. However due to the sharply serrated leaves, it was probably left for determined women and small children to collect.

Although rare around Esperance (the above photographed 50-60 km or 35 miles ENE of Ravensthorpe), it is widespread further west from a little north of Albany to Kalbarri, and east of Ravensthorpe to east of Kalbarri mainly on stony soils. Astroloma serratifolium can exceed a metre (4’) in height, but unless very old seldom exceeds half that height, although it may spread substantially.

The red/pink tubular flowers are around 1.5 cm (over 1/2”) in length and are probably pollinated by honeyeating birds. Like many heaths they can be long flowering and being largely an inland species will take advantage of any good passing storms, where in their favoured stony ground the rain can penetrate deeper and the moisture held longer. Due to this opportunistic flowering habit, plus occurring in several climate zones, Astroloma serratifolium is known to flower at any time of the year.