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Common Name:

General Information

Pimelea prostrata is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.10 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

New Zealand.

Habitat

Dry open places in coastal to sub-alpine rocky, stony or gravelly sites, river terraces, grassland, open shrubland and fell field in North and South Islands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.10 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a lime-free peaty well-drained loam[]. Prefers a deep cool root run in a sunny position[].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, the plants usually require greenhouse protection but they could succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given protection from severe weather[]. They tolerate frosts down to about -5°c if growing in a sheltered position in a well-drained soil[] and can be grown in the rock garden or scree[].
Rather slow growing[]. Flowers are produced on the tips of the previous seasons growth.
Plants may suffer from sudden die back[].
Hermaphrodite and dioecious forms exist.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. Up to 2mm in diameter[]. The fruits can be fleshy or dry[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Plants form carpets and can be grown as a ground cover[]. They are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn if this is possible, otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].
Softwood cuttings 5cm long in late spring[].