Tassel bush, Tassel flower, Whorled heath
Leucopogon verticillatus
Family: Ericaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 1-4 m high and spreads 0.5-2 m wide. Young growth can be reddish or bronze in colour. The leaves are green and pointed. They are 5-16 cm long by 0.8-2.5 cm wide. They are arranged in rings. The flower spikes can be 8 cm long. The flowers are small and red. They are 0.5 cm long. They are scented. The flowers are produced on the stems. The fruit are small and succulent. The fruit are 4 mm long.
There are about 160 Leucopogon species. They are mostly in Australia.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in wetter parts of the forest. It grows in sandy soils. It needs well drained light soils. It needs light shade. It can tolerate light frosts. It grows in SW forest in Western Australia.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Britain, Europe
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. Seed take 90-120 days to germinate. Plants can be grown from cuttings.