mat-lampranthus

Lampranthus tegens

Scientific name

Mat-forming perennial, seldom higher than 20 mm.Branches procumbent, the central branch elongating, and longer than the shorter side branches, rooting at the nodes. Main branch up to about 6 mm in diameter, terete, grey-brown, the younger branches somewhat flattened, orange-brown. The internodes on the elongating branches about 20 mm apart. The lateral branches with leaves crowded and internodes very short and not visible, the tips often decumbent.

Flowering branches ascending. Leaves ascending-spreading opposite, connate at the base, sub-falcate, glaucous, about 10 mm long, triquetrous, about 2.0-3.5 mm in diameter, the apex acute. Leaves on lateral branches 6-7 × 2.5 mm. Flowers solitary in the leaf axils, on slender petioles, 10 to 22 mm in diameter, pink. Flowering time is late spring (October to November).

Propagation instructions

By cutting

Plants grow easily from cuttings and runners can be rooted in situ at any time of the year. However it is always best in autumn, which is at the beginning of its growing season. Establishment of any plant is crucial and after the cuttings have been planted water thoroughly, as once established it is self-sustaining.