Lomatia myricoides [Proteaceae]; River LomatiaA shrub to small tree (up to 5m) that is found along the east coast of NSW down into Victoria. It grows in sclerophyll forest, on gravelly slopes or rock crevices near watercourses, generally where the water level would likely rise to – or above – its roots in heavy rainfall events. Its upright branching structure and narrow serrated leaves make for a beautiful plant, and a useful plant. It’s written elsewhere that it can be used for screening or hedging purposes, but we have yet to grow any to this maturity in Sydney, and so far they tend to be more open and sculptural in nature. Another attractive quality is its white flowers that appear in summer, providing food for many insects and birds.
In our experience in Sydney L. myricoides will grow better in a cooler position with some shade. Depending on several factors including, air movement, light, proximity to other plants, soil type etc. its juvenile foliage may be susceptible to potential aphids or scale, although this appears to reduce as it matures. One thing I don’t understand is why the nursery-grown forms we have used (from multiple sources) all have a darker and sometimes duller leaf, as opposed to the wild plants which we have observed which are bright and glossy. Perhaps this is due to genetic providence or environmental conditions (light, water, stress)?
