Comesperma calymega (Blue Spike Milkwort)

1 / 6

Comesperma, Genus, calymega, Species,

Genus & species

blue spike milkwort

Polygalaceae Southern and southwestern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Comesperma calymega is a slender, erect perennial herb or small subshrub 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall, with wiry, sparsely branched stems. The narrow leaves are 0.2-1 inch (5-25 mm) long, scattered along the stems, and often fall from the lower stem by flowering time. In spring the stems carry narrow terminal spikes of small pea-like flowers, each about 0.3 inch (6-8 mm) long, in blue, mauve, or occasionally pink to white. The flowers have two enlarged petal-like sepals (wings) typical of the milkwort family. It is native to southern and southwestern Australia, where it grows in heath, shrubland, and open woodland on sandy or gravelly soils. The plant is small and short-lived and is rarely cultivated, depending on well-drained soil and an open, sunny position. It can be hard to establish away from its natural habitat because it needs lean, free-draining ground.

Native Range

Comesperma calymega is native to southern and southwestern Australia, occurring in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. It grows in heath, shrubland, and open forest on sandy and gravelly soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown occasionally in native, heath, and rockery plantings on lean, sandy soils, and in seed-grown wildflower displays. It suits dry, open positions and is not adapted to irrigated borders or containers with rich potting mix.

How to Identify

Identify by the slender wiry stems 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall, narrow scattered leaves that often drop from the lower stem, and terminal spikes of small blue to mauve flowers in spring. Each flower has two wing-like sepals and a fringed central petal, the form typical of milkworts. The lower stem is often leafless at flowering.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'8"

Width/Spread4" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Flowers: September–November

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, mainly September to November in its native range. The small blue to mauve flowers open in slender spikes at the stem tips over several weeks. Flowering is followed by small flattened capsules.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue to mauve

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5 (Acidic to neutral)

3579

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Comesperma calymega grows in full sun to light shade in sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil low in nutrients. It needs little water once established and is suited to dry, lean ground rather than rich garden beds. The plant is small, wiry, and short-lived, and it is seldom grown in gardens. Wet, heavy soil causes the roots to rot. Propagation is mainly from seed, which can be slow and erratic to germinate, and from occasional cuttings.

Pruning

No routine pruning is needed. Spent flowering stems can be trimmed back after the capsules have shed seed to keep the plant tidy. The wiry stems may be cut close to the base in late winter to bring fresh growth.