Articles
Australian native Proteaceae – commercial use in Australian floriculture
Article number
1463_12
Pages
73 – 80
Language
English
Abstract
Australia is the centre of Proteaceae diversity with more than half of all recognised genera and species (47 and 1176, respectively). They range from towering trees 40 m high with a trunk diameter of 2 m to specimens less than 10 cm tall.
Species of Proteaceae can be found throughout Australia apart from areas with heavy, basic soils over basalt in dry or dryish climates.
Excepting a few rainforest species from tropical and sub-tropical regions, species will usually be found on infertile sandy soils or lateritic gravels.
In Western Australia, the greatest diversity occurs in deep sand, sand over clay or limestone.
In the eastern states often acidic, sandy soils derived from sandstone are favoured habitats.
They have been developed as fruit crops (Macadamia), forestry timbers, garden specimens, cut flowers, foliages, buds and nuts.
At least 18 genera have appeared regularly in the domestic and export flower and foliage trade but relative few have been cultivated outside Australia.
This paper introduces the depth of Australian Proteaceae species used in the Australian industry, the current development status of these genera and the perceived limitations to development.
Genera covered include Adenanthos, Alloxylon, Athertonia, Banksia, Conospermum, Grevillea, Hakea, Isopogon, Lambertia, Lomatia, Musgravea, Opisthiolepis, Persoonia, Petrophile, Stenocarpus, Stirlingia, Telopea and Xylomelum.
Species of Proteaceae can be found throughout Australia apart from areas with heavy, basic soils over basalt in dry or dryish climates.
Excepting a few rainforest species from tropical and sub-tropical regions, species will usually be found on infertile sandy soils or lateritic gravels.
In Western Australia, the greatest diversity occurs in deep sand, sand over clay or limestone.
In the eastern states often acidic, sandy soils derived from sandstone are favoured habitats.
They have been developed as fruit crops (Macadamia), forestry timbers, garden specimens, cut flowers, foliages, buds and nuts.
At least 18 genera have appeared regularly in the domestic and export flower and foliage trade but relative few have been cultivated outside Australia.
This paper introduces the depth of Australian Proteaceae species used in the Australian industry, the current development status of these genera and the perceived limitations to development.
Genera covered include Adenanthos, Alloxylon, Athertonia, Banksia, Conospermum, Grevillea, Hakea, Isopogon, Lambertia, Lomatia, Musgravea, Opisthiolepis, Persoonia, Petrophile, Stenocarpus, Stirlingia, Telopea and Xylomelum.
Publication
Authors
J. Lidbetter, H. Urquhart
Keywords
diversity, cut flowers, foliage, dried, dyed, buds, nuts
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