Kunzea ericifolia

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Spearwood

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Kunzea
Species:	K. ericifolia

Binomial name

Kunzea ericifolia
(Heynh.)

Kunzea ericifolia (Spearwood) is an erect woody evergreen shrub that is endemic to Western Australia.

1 Habit
2 Distribution
3 Ecology
4 Cultivation
5 Uses
6 References

[edit] Habit

K. ericifolia is a woody erect shrub, often multi-stemmed^[1]., that can grow to a height of 5 metres (16 ft)^[2] but is typically about 2 metres (7 ft) tall. The shrub has a crown of soft pale green foliage. The leaf are simple in structure with linear form growing to a length of about 10 millimetres (0 in) with a width of 1 millimetre (0 in). Flowering occurs in spring (July to December) and produces small round flower approximately 10 millimetres (0 in) in diameter. The globular blossom is perfumed and yellow, cream or white in color and occurs in clusters and the ends of branches^[3]. Flowers are followed by small single celled fruits that contain many small seed that are dispersed once the fruit is ripe. Flowering fruiting occur annual. The bark is fibrous, rough and grey in colour, often peeling in layers from the stem.

[edit] Distribution

Kunzea ericifolia is found in the Southwest Australia region. Populations of this species are found as far north as Gingin and as far east as Bremer Bay. The largest populations occur around Albany. Many communities are found along the coast-line^[4].

[edit] Ecology

Kunzea ericifolia grows in sandy well drained soil. Found to grow in peaty soils, quartzite and grey sand. Grows well in moist conditions and along the margins of watercourses, lakes and seasonally wet swamps. Can also be found growing amongst rocks in more open and elevated positions. Requires good drainage and a sunny or slightly shaded position. It is ideally suited to mediterranean conditions, can withstand a moderate frost and will grow in more humid conditions.

[edit] Cultivation

The plant has been cultivated for many years as an ornamental plant. It is easily propagated by seed or by cutting.

[edit] Uses

Studies have found that Kunzea ericifolia contains a powerful natural insectide (called ericfolione) that has been extracted from the plant using hexane^[5].