Wittsteinia vacciniacea
F.Muell.
Ericaceae
The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.
Common Name: Baw-Baw Berry
General Information
Wittsteinia vacciniacea is a Shrub up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
Range
Australia - Victoria.
Habitat
Found in the sub-alpine zone at altitudes between 900 - 1500 metres[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it can be grown outdoors in Britain. One report says that it requires greenhouse protection in this country[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. However, plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[
157- Title
- Australian Native Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M.
- Publisher
- Collins. (Australia)
- Year
- 1988
- ISBN
- 0-7322-0021-0
- Description
- A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and colder wetter and longer winters. It would certainly be worthwhile trying it outdoors in the milder areas of the country[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. It is likely to require a sunny sheltered position.
Edible Uses
Fruit[
144- Title
- Wild Food in Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Cribb. A. B. and J. W.
- Publisher
- Fontana
- Year
- 1976
- ISBN
- 0-00-634436-4
- Description
- A very good pocket guide.
]. No more details are given.
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters before trying them outdoors.
Cuttings. Probably it is best to take these in July or August in a frame. It is quite likely that, as with many members of this family, plants have very fine root systems and great care must be taken when transplanting them.
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
