Lambertia formosa

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Plant
ID 893 Lambertia formosa
Botanic Name Lambertia formosa
Common Name Mountain Devil, Honey Flower
Family Name Proteaceae
Cultivars
Origin Australia, East Coast, Zone 9-10
Growth Type Shrub
Bark Type Woody
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 10
Growth Habit Upright-bushy Growth Rate Medium
Height 1 - 2 m (3 - 7 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This shrub has an upright habit with many branches that form an open bushy crown. It has dark glossy green narrow lanced-shaped pointed leaves and the red tube-shaped flowers appear in a terminal cluster from spring to autumn.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Oblanceolate
The leathery glossy dark green linear to narrow oblanceolate leaves are up to 50 mm (2 in) long by 8 mm (1/3 in) wide. They are paler underneath with a prominent mid vein and have a pungent mucronate apex.
Arrangement Whorled
Margin Recurved - Revolute
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 30 - 50 mm ( 1.2 - 2.0 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
There are 7 sessile tubulate red flowers that are up to 50 mm (2 in) long with protruding styles and are arranged in a terminal cluster that is enclosed by reddish bracts. They are nectar rich and bird attracting and appear from spring to autumn
Inflorescence Cluster or Fascicle
Colour Red
Size 40 - 50 mm ( 1.6 - 2.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Follicle Additional Information
Colour Brown
The woody follicle is up to 25 mm (1 in) long and has a hard woody texture with a short beak and each valve has a long horn. The winged seeds are dispersed by birds and wind.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 15 - 25 mm ( 0.6 - 1.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Very well drained poor sandy-stony to loamy soil, acidic, pH 5.5-7.0
Container Not normally grown in a container
Climate Warm temperate
Aspect Full sun, open to expose position, drought and mildly frost tolerant
Pest & Diseases Grevillea lopper, re-shoots and seeds germinate after low intensity fire
Fertiliser Not normally required, keep moist during summer, use low phosphorus fertiliser
Pruning May require an annual light prune after flowering to thicken up
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Mountain Devil is grown for its bushy habit and its bright red flowers. It is planted along garden border for screening or used in large rockeries. It is also grown in tubs and planter boxes and is used in bush regeneration programmes.
Sow seed when ripe in pots and maintain a temperature of 16 to 18 C (61 to 64 F), may requires scarification or pre soaking in acidic water for several hours. Take cuttings during summer apply bottom heat.
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