King's Lomatia (Lomatia tasmanica)

King's Lomatia

Lomatia tasmanica

It is a rare, slow-growing relic clinging to survival in remote Tasmanian gorges. Evergreen flowering shrub; common name: Tasmanian Lomatia.

Partial sun
1–2/week
Moderate
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Prefers dappled shade or partial sun; avoid intense midday direct sun to prevent leaf scorching
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Watering Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot
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Temperature Thrives in cool temperate conditions; tolerate light frost but avoid prolonged temperatures below 3°C
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Leathery pinnately compound leaves with serrated margins; dark glossy green upper surface
  • Flower: Dense clusters of creamy-white, fragrant tubular blooms
  • Stem: Woody branching stems with rough greyish-brown bark
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Care Guide

Watering

Keep substrate evenly moist; apply mulch to retain soil moisture

Fertilization

Diluted acidic liquid feed once every 6 weeks. Use low-phosphorus fertilizer to align with Proteaceae nutrient requirements

Pine needle compost tea with eggshell powder:Steep fully composted pine needles and crushed eggshells in water for 3 days; dilute 1:20 for root drenching to avoid soil alkalization
Pruning
  • Remove dead or damaged branches in late winter to stimulate new growth
  • Thin overcrowded stems to improve airflow and light penetration
  • Preserve the natural multi-stemmed form; avoid heavy, aggressive pruning
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: No listed toxicity to cats

Humans: No documented toxicity to humans

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Rare ornamental shrub for specialized native plant gardens