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Comesperma ericinum

pink matchheads

Polygalaceae Southeastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Comesperma ericinum is a slender, upright shrub of southeastern Australia, growing 1-5 feet (0.3-1.5 m) tall and 1-3 feet (0.3-1 m) wide on wiry stems. Its narrow, heath-like leaves are 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long, crowded along the stems and dark green. In spring the stem tips carry dense, narrow clusters of small pea-like flowers in shades of pink to mauve, the tight buds resembling rows of matchheads that give the plant its common name. Each flower is about 0.2 inch (5 mm) long, with two petal-like wings and a small fringed keel. After flowering it sets small capsules holding seeds with a tuft of hair. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and heath on sandy, free-draining soils low in nutrients. The thin stems and open habit make it easy to overlook except when in flower. It tolerates drought once established but is short-lived and can be hard to keep going in cultivation.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania and South Australia. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and heath on sandy, well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Comesperma ericinum is used in native, heath, and habitat gardens on dry sandy banks where its spring flowers and low water needs suit lean, sunny sites. It works in mixed plantings with other small heathland shrubs and supports native bees. Its open form suits informal bush-garden settings rather than formal beds.

How to Identify

Recognised by its slender wiry stems, crowded narrow heath-like leaves, and tip clusters of small pink to mauve flowers with tight matchhead-like buds. The flowers have two coloured wing-petals and a fringed keel, typical of the genus Comesperma spp.. Its narrow leaves and pink flowers separate it from the blue-flowered Comesperma volubile, which is a twiner.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs mainly in spring, from August to December, when the stem tips fill with pink to mauve flowers. The clustered buds open in sequence, holding colour over several weeks. Small hairy-seeded capsules follow in late spring and summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink to mauve

Foliage Description

Dark 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)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Comesperma ericinum grows in full sun to light shade in sandy or gravelly, sharply drained soils low in nutrients. Once established it needs little water and tolerates dry conditions, but heavy, wet, or rich soils cause root rot and shorten its life. Like many heathland plants it is sensitive to high-phosphorus fertilisers, so lean conditions suit it. It can be raised from seed or cuttings, though both can be slow and uneven. Light pruning after flowering helps keep the thin stems bushy. Plants are naturally short-lived and may need replacing after a few years.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps the wiry stems compact and slows the shrub becoming open and leggy. Only soft, leafy growth should be cut, as the shrub may not reshoot from old bare wood. Spent flower stems can be removed once the capsules have shed seed.