Pentachondra pumila PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Pentachondra pumila is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[144]. Sweet and watery[193]. The fruit is a fleshy drupe about 12mm in diameter and comprising about 5 - 10 one-seeded nuts[200].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires an open position in a moisture-retentive gritty peaty pocket of lime-free soil in a rock garden[182, 200]. Plants are intolerant of drought[200]. Prefers mild winters and relatively cool moist summers[200]. Plants are difficult to grow in cultivation, especially in hot dry areas[188]. This species only succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, it is hardy to about -5°c[200]. In Australia the green fruit hangs on the plant overwinter and ripens in the following early summer[157]. Plants rarely fruit in Britain[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Seed can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking 5 years. Stored seed and perhaps also freshly sown seed is best scarified[175]. Sow stored seed as soon as it is received. Two or three periods of 4 - 6 weeks cold stratification can also help to reduce the germination time[175]. 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. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Subsequent growth is slow[157]. Division of rooted offsets[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)R.Br.

Botanical References

154200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Pentachondra pumila - (J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)R.Br.