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Tremandra stelligera is an erect or spreading shrub reaching a maximum height of 2 metres, spreading to about 1 metre wide.
It is endemic to south-west Western Australia; growing virtually in the very south-west corner of the State, close to the coast, between Perth and to slightly east of Albany.
It grows on sandy and loamy soils, in coastal heathland and shrubland as well as mallee shrubland and dry sclerophyll woodland / forest.
Tremandra spp. have simple and oposite leaves. In this species, the leaves are soft, ovate, up to 5 cm long by 4 cm wide, deep green, hairy above and below with irregularly toothed margins.
Tremandra spp. produce solitary flowers which are typically 5-merous with 5 petals and sepals, 10 stamens and 2 carpels. In this species, flowers are 4 to 5 petalled, about 1.5 centimetres across, pink, purple or purple-blue in colour; on hairy stalks and conspicuous, particularly the purple-blue form. The lengthy flowering period extends from July to December.
The fruit of Tremandra is a capsule. In this species, it is about 5 mm long and has 2 seeds.
This is a very nice plant to cultivate. It is known to be grown.
The form with spreading growth habit is particularly attractive and could be cultivated in rockeries, cottage gardens and as foreground plants in native garden beds.
It is best planted in a part-shade position on a well-drained soil with good air flow.
Tip pruning will improve foliage density.
Tremandra stelligera propagates readily and rapidly from cuttings.
Tremandra species likely die in fire and regenerate from the seedbank.
Tremandra is a genus of 2 species, endemic to Western Australia.
Tremandra – from Greek – Trem – reportedly meaning hole or aperature (but also the root of “tremor” – meaning “shaking with fear”) and andras (άνδρας) meaning “man” – referring to the nature in which the anthers of the flowers burst through the surrounding cell walls or septa.
stelligera – Latin – bearing star-shaped or stellate hairs – referring to the hairs on this species.
This species is not considered to be at risk of extinction in the wild.
Western Australian Herbarium. Florabase: The Western Australian Flora: Tremandra stelligera profile page https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4548
Wikipedia – Tremandra stelligera profile page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tremandra_stelligera
Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M.I. (2001). Australian Native Plants – Propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping. 4th edition. New Holland Publishers, Pty. Ltd. Australia.