Lomatia silaifolia, commonly known as crinkle bush or parsley fern, is a plant of the family, Proteaceae native to eastern Australia. Naturally found in open forest, it grows as a small shrub 1–2 m high with highly pinnate leaves reminiscent of parsley. The white inflorescences appear in summer.
Description
Lomatia silaifolia is a small upright shrub which grows 1–2 metres (3.3–6.6 ft) high with glaucous smooth stems. It has highly pinnate leaves which can vary in appearance and are reminiscent of parsley. They are up to 35 to 50 centimetres (14 to 20 in) long. The white inflorescences appear in summer and are up to 45 centimetres (18 in) high.[1][2]
An early common name applied in England was sulphur-wort-leaved lomatia.[8] Other common names include crinkle bush, parsley fern, wild parsley, and fern-leaved lomatia.[4]
Hybrids with L. fraseri and L. myricoides have been recorded.[1] Analysis of chloroplast DNA showed that there is extensive hybridization between the five species (L. arborescens, L. fraseri, L. ilicifolia, L. myricoides and L. silaifolia) of mainland southeastern Australia, though each is distinct enough to warrant species status.[9]
Plants are thought to live for over 60 years and regenerate after bushfire by resprouting from the base. The leaves are eaten by swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor).[10] Calves are thought to have died after eating it, and cut flowers kept indoors have been reported to attract and kill flies. Positive cyanide reactions have been recorded for the anthers, styles and stigmas.[4]
Use in horticulture
Lomatia silaifolia was trialled in cultivation in England in 1808, though noted to flower rarely and require a greenhouse.[8] The unusual leaves and fruits of the species make it a suitable garden feature. It can be easily propagated from seed, is hardy in most soils and aspects.[11]
^Harden, Gwen J. "Lomatia silaifolia ". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
^Milner, Melita; Rossetto, Maurizio; Crisp, Michael D.; Weston, Peter H. (2012). "The impact of multiple biogeographic barriers and hybridization on species-level differentiation". American Journal of Botany. 99 (12): 2045–57. doi:10.3732/ajb.1200327. PMID23221499.
^Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. pp. 258–259. ISBN978-0002165754.