No. 16 and IN THIS ISSUE DHemigenia and This issue of Seed Notes will cover the Hemiandra Hemigenia and Hemiandra. The name Hemigenia D Description comes from the Greek hemi D Geographic distribution meaning half and geneion and habitat or genea that respectively mean covered by a beard D Reproductive biology or birth, offspring, referring D Seed collection to the fact that only one D Seed quality assessment pair of anther cells is fertile. Hemiandra also comes from D Seed germination the Greek hemi and from D Recommended reading aner or andros meaning man Above: Hemigenia conferta, Wongan Hills. or and refers to the Photo – Anne Cochrane anthers being one-celled. Description Species of both genera have DPlants of both Hemigenia differences between the potential for cultivation, and Hemiandra (family two genera. The flowers of although are not widely ) may be dwarf or both genera grow between grown. Both have species prostrate to medium shrubs. and the stem, in colours suitable for ground covers Both have that are ranging from white, mauve and several have eyecatching opposite or in the case of or purple (Hemigenia) to flowering displays. D Hemigenia may be in whorls orange and red (Hemiandra). of three or four. The leaves There are five spreading of Hemiandra are stiff and lobes, the three lower lobes pungent-pointed; those of longer than the upper two. Below: Hemigenia platyphylla. Hemigenia are never sharp. These lobes may be toothed Photo – Sue Patrick This is one of the major or notched. D

Seed Notes 16 page 1 Geographic distribution and habitat Seed collection The genus Hemiandra The fruit of both Hemiandra and Hemigenia is a nut, with Dis endemic to Western generally four nuts held within a . The fruits may ripen Australia, whereas differentially, with new fruits reaching maturity over a long Hemigenia is found period of time. This means that seed collection may need throughout Australia, to be done several times over a season, because at any one though with the majority time there may be immature green fruits as well as ripe fruits of species found in Western present on . The seed turns from green to light brown Australia. There are about to possibly dark brown depending on the species. 10 species of Hemiandra and The seed will release 40 species of Hemigenia. from the capsule when Both genera are found Approximate distribution of Hemigenia and Hemiandra in ripe. Bagging fruits in sandy soils often with Australia. with stockings or muslin gravel in heathland or in forest will ensure that seed is 5mm communities. Most are found at low altitudes.D collected rather than lost on the ground. D Above: Hemigenia exilis fruit. Below: Hemigenia seed Photos – Anne Cochrane

Below: Close up of Hemigenia flower showing spotted throat. Photo – Andrew Crawford

Hemiandra hancocksiana ms. Photo – Sue Patrick DReproductive biology Wasps have been known to pollinate species of Hemiandra. There are also reports of bees, flies and possibly butterflies as pollinators. Some species of both genera flower over a long time, with no specific peak flowering period. Otherwise spring to summer flowering is normal. Plants generally regenerate from seed but some species (e.g. Hemigenia exilis) appear to be able to resprout from rootstock when damaged. D

Seed Notes 16 page  Seed quality assessment Seed germination It is sometimes difficult Plants of both Hemiandra Dto distinguish between Dand Hemigenia can be filled and unfilled seed grown from seed, although of both Hemigenia germination of some species and Hemiandra. It is may take many weeks. possible to conduct Traditionally, plants of the a flotation test to few species in cultivation separate the good are grown vegetatively Above: The first leaves appearing after from the bad seed. from cuttings. By removing germination in seed of Hemigenia. Most filled seed will the curved ‘plug’ on the Photo – Anne Cochrane sink while empty Above: Hemigenia ramosissima seed. lower side of the seed seed will generally float. Below: Hemigenia exilis seed with a scalpel and Place a little drop of dissected from seed coat. forceps, the speed of detergent in the water Photos – Anne Cochrane germination can be with the seed to increased. This ‘plug’ help disperse the is bonded to the seed seed. Otherwise a coat by a fatty deposit cut test will tell you that may be attractive the proportion of to ants. Fresh seed filled to unfilled seed gives better results as in a collection. The seed may lose viability endosperm should if not stored under fully fill the seed coat. cool, dry conditions. Above and below: Germinating seed of Hemigenia exilis. Photos – Anne Cochrane D D

Below: Hemigenia ramosissima. Photo – Anne Cochrane

Seed Notes 16 page  Seed Notes for

These Seed Notes aim to provide information on seed identification, collection, biology and germination for a wide range of seed types for Western Australian native species.

They have been written and compiled by Anne Cochrane, Manager of DEC's Threatened Flora Seed Centre. Concept by Grazyna Paczkowska. Designed by DEC’s Graphic Design Section.

The Seed Notes are available from www.naturebase.net

Above: . Photo – Andrew Crawford Seed Notes are published by the Perth Branch of the Wildflower Society of Recommended reading Western Australia (Inc.) Elliot, W. R. and Jones, D. L. 1984. Cochrane, A., Brown, K., Meeson, N. with assistance from Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable Dand Harding, C. 1999. The germination the Western Australian for Cultivation. Volume 5. Lothian Publishing, requirements of Hemigenia exilis Lotteries Commission Melbourne. (Lamiaceae)—Seed plug removal and and the Department gibberellic acid as a successful technique to Sharr, F. A. 1978. Western Australian of Environment and break dormancy in an arid zone shrub from Names and their Meanings. A Glossary. Conservation (DEC).

Western Australian. CALMSCIENCE 3, 1, 21–30. University of Western Australia Press, Perth.D 2007501-0308-1

Seed Notes 16 page