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Wax flower

Chamaelaucium uncinatum, the Geraldton waxflower, Geraldton wax, is a flowering plant endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub 0.5 to 4m high, bearing white or pink flowers June–November. The name uncinatum means "hooked" in Latin, in reference to the tips of the leaves.

The flowers (somewhat resembling those of the tea tree) last a relatively long time after cutting, making the plant popular in horticulture. It is widely cultivated throughout Australia, both in home gardens and in the cut flower industry. Purple-flowering cultivars have been developed.

Wax is relatively hardy and fairly easy to grow in a Mediterranean climate with well-drained sandy soil and a sunny aspect. It can be grown in areas of higher humidity, such as Sydney, but tends to be short lived. It is also good in pots. It has the tendency to 'fall over' and may need support. It is very drought-tolerant and has aromatic leaves. Many varieties are commercially available, named both for colour and for early/late flowering times. In the wild, Geraldton wax is most commonly white with varying tinges of mauve. 

  • Category Flowering shrubs
  • Families Myrtaceae
  • Genus Chamaelacium
  • Species uncinatum
  • Geographical Area of Origin Oceania
  • Climatic Zones Sub-tropical, USDA 10 b (Southern Italy and islands)
  • Habit Shrub
  • Leaves Treadlike filament / Needle-like
  • Colore Foglie Verde
  • Flowering Period February / March / April / May / December
  • Flower Simple flower
  • Colore Fiori Giallo   Rosso   Bianco   Rosa   Viola
  • Favorite soil Sub-acid / medium acid / Light sandy
  • Water needs Medium
  • Light Exposure Medium shade / Half shade / Full light / Full sun
  • Form Grown as shrub / bush
  • Colore Frutti Marrone
  • Parfumed yes
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