Top End Turkey Bush

[greysrigging]

A sure sign of the 'Dry Season' in the Top End of the Northern Territory is the mass flowering of an otherwise unimpressive and straggly looking shrub, the 'Turkey Bush '( Calytrix Exstipulata ). A very common native plant, unattractive and bland looking until it bursts into flower at the beginning of the seasonal Dry. Possibly a çoloniser' species given its penchant for growth along roadsides and drainage lines. Notoriously hard to propagate wild collected seeds, although some wiser garden gurus than me seem to have cracked the code.
The inland Top End can look dry and barren in July, and the Turkey Bush is a welcome sight out in the scrub.
https://www.territorynativeplants.com.au/calytrix-exstipulata-pink-turkey-bush.


 

[Gonzer]

Impressive.

[jimmyt]

That is very nice for sure!

[tropicbreeze]

They prefer rocky/gravelly poorer soils and disturbed areas. I have some growing naturally at my place, a sad indictment of the quality of my soil.

[Silas_Sancona]

Found a good reference to growing these here:  http://anpsa.org.au/APOL21/mar01-3.html

Sounds like they're quite sensitive to root rot issues as seedlings, and that some might be better propagated from cuttings.  Also saw something suggesting Smoke treatment might help stimulate better germination in some species.  Will have to watch for fresh seed next year. 

Looks like C. tetragona is already grown by a CA. nursery that specializes in Australian natives..


 

Edited July 11, 2020 by Silas_Sancona
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