Description
Common names
Tree Violet, A Tree, Whiteywood.
Scientific names
Hymenanthera dentata.
Family
Violaceae.
Genus
Hymenanthera.
Name origin
Hymenanthera, from Greek hymen, membrane, and anthera, anther, referring to thin stamen tube.
Rainfall
550mm.
Growth rate
Slow, moderate.
Growth height
Up to 4m.
Presence in Australia
Predominantly east of the Hume highway. Noted in the areas Talmalmo-Murray; Coppabella; Jingellic; Ournie; Maragle; Tooma; Ardenside-Welaregang; Lower Tooma-Greg Greg; Bringenbrong-Khancoban; Four Mile; Deadmans-Bungowannah-Long Flat; and Upper Gilmore.
This specie has been identified in the following Australian states: Qld, NSW, Act, Vic, Tas, SA.
Habitat
Amongst rocks, often along creeksides and in alpine heath.
Habit
Rigid shrub to 4m high with branchlets often ending in spines. Dark-green foliage with toothed margins and tiny bell-shaped, fragrant flowers.
Site preference
Well-drained sites. Tolerates most frost.
Characteristics
Apparently long-lived and extremely hardy. Slow-growing. Lush in lightly shaded gullies, or stunted and spiny on exposed dry rocky sites.
Flowering
Pale-yellow, spring-summer.
Seed collection
Late Dec to early April, when berries are pale-green to purple. Monitor closely as seeds shed 3-14 days after maturity.
Propagation
From seed or cuttings. Sowing recommendations vary. Local growers have germinated seed by sowing whole freshly collected fruit about 1cm deep and keeping in non-humid shadehouse. Seeds germinate in 3-4 months. Seedlings easily handled. Rooting hormones improve strike rate of cuttings.
Regeneration
From seed, dispersed by birds.
Shade and shelter
Excellent long-lived low-level cover in windbreaks.
Wildlife
Excellent habitat. Prickly foliage excellent refuge and nesting sites for small native birds. Birds feed on fruit.
Ornamental
Attractive, for hedges, screening, and barriers. Watering over summer, and pruning is beneficial. Floral perfume may be overpowering if plants too close to house doors and windows.