''Monotoca scoparia'', commonly known as prickly broom heath, is a widespread native species across south-eastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. ''Monotoca scoparia'' was formerly in the family Epacridaceae but now belongs to the family Ericaceae. Monotoca is an endemic Australian genus with 17 described species occurring in all states.

Description

''Monotoca scoparia'' is a lignotuberous shrub that grows usually between 30–120 cm high. The alternating leaves are erect and prickly, and narrowly oblong to elliptic in shape. Leaves are 0.6-2.2 cm long and 1–4 mm wide. The adaxial (upper) surface of the leaf is dark green in colour and the abaxial (lower) surface in a pale green to whitish colour, with 3-5 prominent veins. Leaf tips are sharp and branchlets are rough to hairless. The male and female flowers occur on different plants. Flowers are tubular and white to cream in colour. Flowers in 2-9 clusters occur in axillary spikes or the lowermost occurs solitary. The corolla of female flowers is 1.3-2.8 mm long and the male corolla is slightly longer, 2–4 mm. Flowering occurs most of the year, from December to August. The fleshy, oblong fruit is yellow to orange. A distinguishing feature of the ''Monotoca scoparia'' flower is the corolla tube is longer than the sepals.

Distribution and Habitat

''Monotoca scoparia'' is widespread across Australia with sightings recorded across the country in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and few in Northern Territory and South Australia. ''Monotoca scoparia'' is a common understorey shrub in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland and heathland. ''Monotoca scoparia'' occurs on well-drained sandy and rocky soils from sea-level to montane elevations in full sun to semi-shade. Tasmania has six native species of '' Monotoca''. These species are all quite similar and can be difficult to distinguish. The most similar species to ''Monotoca scoparia'' is the Tasmanian endemic species '' Monotoca submutica, which'' can be described as ''Monotoca scoparia var. submutica''. ''Monotoca scoparia'' and ''Monotoca submutica'' closely resemble each other, except the flowers of ''Monotoca scoparia'' are longer and flowering times are different. These two species also differ in habitat, where ''Monotoca submutica'' is widespread across southern and western Tasmania growing in subalpine forest and wet sclerophyll rainforest.

Ecological Importance

''Monotoca scoparia'' and other heath species such as ''

Epacris impressa ''Epacris impressa'', also known as common heath, is a plant of the heath family, Ericaceae, that is native to southeast Australia (the states of Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales). French botanist Jacques Labillardière co ...

'', ''Leptospermum trinerivium, xanthorrhoea sp''. and a variety of legumes make up the preferred diet on the

Smoky mouse The smoky mouse (''Pseudomys fumeus'') is a species of rodent in the family Muridae native to southeastern Australia. It was first described in 1934 and its species name is Latin for "smoky". As its name suggests, it is a grey-furred mouse, dark ...

(''Pseudomys fumeus'') in New South Wales. '' Pseudomys fumeus'' is an endangered rodent. Studies found that ''Monotoca scoparia'' was a major food source for this species and therefore its presence is important for the survival of this endangered species as well as the other species that feed on it.

Cultivation

''Monotoca scoparia'' is commonly used in gardens. Best results for the prickly shrub occur when established in gardens, located in well drained positions with full sun to semi-shade. Establishment will occur under existing trees. ''Monotoca scoparia'' is often used in gardens for hedging and regulating traffic.

References

{{Taxonbar scoparia Ericales of Australia Flora of New South Wales Flora of Victoria (state) Flora of Queensland Flora of Tasmania Trees of Australia Plants described in 1793 Taxa named by James Edward Smith