Astrebla pectinata
Astrebla pectinata
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Astrebla pectinata grows in arid and semi-arid areas of Australia at elevations up to 1,000 metres. Its best development occurs in areas receiving between 250 - 550mm annual rainfall. It grows n the warm, moist season and, due to a lack of moisture, has usually ceased growth by the time the cooler seasan and its frosts arrive. It can produce new growth if there is ample winter rainfall and can flower at almost any time of the year in response to rainfall[1]. Requires a sunny position[1]. Found in the wild in cracking clay soils, usually with a high pH and free limestone[1]. The plant has some tolerance to salinity[1]. It is extremely drought -tolerant due to its robust root system - though plants can die in extremely dry periods[1]. Top growth is killed in fires, but the plant will usually resprout from the roots[1].
Propagation
Seed - probably best to surface sow in a sunny position in a greenhouse in spring. Push the seeds gently into the soil and make sure the compost does not dry out. When large enough, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow on until large enough to plant out. In colder regions, consider growing on in the greenhouse until the following spring, planting out after the last expected frosts. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Astrebla+pectinata>
Pollinators
Wind
References
- [1]Tropical Forages — http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/index.htm ↩︎Mainly focussed on forage plants, the site gives a lot of information on the plant, with a good botanical description, details of cultivation, plant uses and a good selection of photographs.
- [2]Florabase — https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ ↩︎An excellent on-line database of Western Australian plants
- [3]Dictionary of Economic Plants. — Uphof. J. C. Th. · Weinheim · 1959 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
- [4]Wild Food in Australia. — Cribb. A. B. and J. W. · Fontana · 1976 · ISBN 0-00-634436-4 ↩︎A very good pocket guide.