© Matthew keogh, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Trochocarpa spp.
tree heath
Eastern Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia
Overview
Trochocarpa is a genus of about a dozen evergreen shrubs and small trees in the heath family (Ericaceae), native to eastern Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and parts of Southeast Asia. Plants range from low shrubs to trees 3-40 feet (1-12 m) tall, with small, leathery leaves marked by several curved, parallel veins. Tiny urn- to bell-shaped flowers, white to pink or reddish, are packed into slender, often nodding spikes near the branch tips. The flowers ripen into small, flattened, fleshy drupes that hold several seeds and are eaten by birds. Species grow in cool rainforest, wet heath, and mountain scrub on acidic, peaty soils with steady moisture. Trochocarpa laurina, the tree heath, reaches small-tree size and carries glossy foliage and dark fruit. The genus needs cool, humid conditions and acid soil, and grows slowly, which limits its use to specialist and woodland gardens.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and parts of Southeast Asia, growing in cool rainforest, montane scrub, and wet heath on acidic soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in cool-climate woodland, fern, and heath gardens and in containers of acidic mix. Lower species are used as understorey shrubs, while tree forms give light shade and bird-attracting fruit.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 40'
Width/Spread3' - 15'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pink or redFoliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 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