Lissanthe strigosa

Text and images by Warren Sheather

Lissanthe strigosa is known as the Peach Heath and is a member of the Epacridaceae family.

Peach Heath is a dwarf to small shrub rarely exceeding one metre in height. The small, linear leaves are about 1.3 centimetres long, dark green above, paler beneath with 3-5 parallel veins. Each leaf is crowned by a sharp point.

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Tubular flowers are about five millimetres long, tubular, white or pink and carried in racemes or spikes. The conspicuous and profuse blooms are sweetly scented and appear from late winter to early summer.

The flowers produce small, globular, fleshy, and sweet-tasting fruit that surrounds a small, single seed. If the fruits were larger the Peach Heath would have a future as a bush tucker plant.

Lissanthe strigosa is a widespread species and is found in all eastern states, including Tasmania, and South Australia. Peach Heath is common in the bushland areas of the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales. During the flowering period Peach Heath lights up the bush at knee-height.

Propagation is from seed or cuttings. Cutting material should be from new season’s growth before it becomes too woody.

The species was introduced into England in 1823 as Lissanthe subulata.

APS Armidale gratefully acknowledges the financial support of New England Mutual for this website.