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Poranthera spp.
poranthera
Overview
Poranthera spp. is a small genus of low annual herbs and small wiry shrubs in the family Phyllanthaceae, native to Australia with one species reaching New Zealand. The plants range from tiny, much-branched annuals a few centimetres high to compact, heath-like shrublets, and most stay below 16 in (40 cm) tall. The small leaves are alternate or scattered, narrow to oval, and sometimes rolled at the margins in the shrubby species. Clusters of tiny flowers, usually white to pinkish with five small petals, open at the stem tips over a long season; male and female flowers are separate but borne on the same plant. They ripen into small three-lobed capsules that split to release the seeds. The genus grows in open forest, heath, grassland, and disturbed ground, often on sandy or gravelly soils, and several species appear quickly after fire or soil disturbance. One limitation is the small, easily overlooked flowers, and another is the short life of the annual species, which complete their cycle in a single season.
Native Range
Poranthera spp. is native to Australia, occurring in all mainland states and Tasmania, with Poranthera microphylla also native to New Zealand. Plants grow in open eucalypt forest, heath, grassland, rocky outcrops, and disturbed roadside ground, mostly on light, well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native, rockery, and dry-climate gardens, in sandy beds, and in habitat plantings for small native insects. The low growth suits gaps between larger plants and the edges of paths. The annual species are also used to fill bare ground quickly in naturalistic schemes.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'4"
Width/Spread4" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Flowering extends over a long period from late winter through spring and into summer, broadly August to January in the native range. The small white to pink flowers open in clusters at the stem tips. In the annual species, flowering and seeding follow soon after germination.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pinkFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Poranthera spp. grows in full sun to light shade on light, well-drained sandy or gravelly soils at an acidic to neutral pH of about 5.0 to 7.0. Plants tolerate dry conditions once established and need little supplementary water in temperate climates. The annual species are raised from seed sown on warm, open ground, while the shrubby species grow from seed or cuttings. Lean, free-draining soil suits the genus, and waterlogging is poorly tolerated. Hardiness varies with species, but most suit frost-free to lightly frosted, warm temperate climates around USDA zones 9 to 10. Self-sown seedlings often appear on bare ground.Pruning
The annual species need no pruning and are cleared once they finish seeding. The small shrubby species can be lightly trimmed after flowering to keep them compact. Spent growth is removed as plants die back.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons