A few months ago, I was at the back of our bush block and decided to check on the stand of Woody Pears growing in a sheltered position between sandstone boulders and the cliff above the creek. As I approached the trees, I noticed fruit along with new flower buds, and since I had my secateurs, I decided to collect some of the old fruit to see if I could get the seeds to germinate.
Once back at the house, I placed the fruit in a warm spot near the lounge room window, and within a few weeks, the follicles opened, revealing two winged seeds in each of the three fruits.
As I had not previously sown this seed, I decided to check the ANPSA website. I found a fact sheet about seed preparation, which involved placing the seed in a container, covering it with boiled water, and leaving it to stand overnight before sowing 24 hours later.
Using a 50/50 mix of Searle’s seed-raising soil mix and commercially washed river sand, I planted the seed into a small Forestry tube, firmed the soil around it, and placed the pot in a mini glasshouse. After about three weeks, it germinated, which was exciting to see. Eventually, two of the other seeds also germinated, so now I have three seedlings. Once these are mature and “hardened-off”, I will plant them in the bush near where they first began their journey.
The Woody Pear is an endemic species of the Proteaceae family, distributed from Mittagong to the mid-north coast, where it thrives on plateaus and ridges in well-drained sandstone soils. It is often found growing alongside species such as Yellow Bloodwood (Corymbia eximia), Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata), and Brown Stringybark (Eucalyptus capitellata).
The plant is closely related to Banksia, Telopea, Grevillea, and Hakea. More recently, DNA studies conducted in 1975 by S. Hoot and A.W. Douglas have also linked it to the genus Lambertia. The species name Xylomelum pyriforme is derived from Latin, with “pyri” meaning pear and “forme” (from “forma”) meaning shape.
Woody Pears grow to a height of 4–5 meters. The foliage consists of dark green leaves with prominent veins; the margins of mature leaves are entire, whereas juvenile leaves have toothed edges. Mature leaves measure 10–20 cm in length, are 5 cm wide, and are glabrous. The inflorescence is a rust-colored raceme, with flowers appearing between September and November. Eventually, seed pods develop, reaching up to 9 cm in length and 5 cm in width when mature.
There are six species of Woody Pear in Australia. Two are found in Western Australia: Xylomelum occidentale and X. augustifolium. Three species occur in Queensland: Xylomelum scottianum, X. cunninghamii, and X. benthamii. New South Wales is home to two species: Xylomelum pyriforme and X. cunninghamii.
Woody Pears rely on fire to open their seed pods, allowing the winged seeds to disperse. After a fire, the trees regenerate through lignotubers, epicormic buds, or suckers.
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