---
title: Prickly Box
date: 2024-02-13T17:20:00+11:00
author: Private Forests Tasmania
canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/tree-species/prickly-box"
section: Tree Species
---
1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/)
2. Prickly Box
 

#  Prickly Box 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![Prickly box Bursaria spinosa](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Tree-Species/_800x800_crop_center-center_none/77137/Prickly-box-Bursaria-spinosa.webp) 

## Scientific Name

Bursaria spinosa

## Family Name

PITTOSPORACEAE

## Common Name

Prickly Box

 

 

### General Information

 

  Height 3.0m - 8.0m (300-800cm)   Flowers Prolific cream-white scented flowers   Fruit Papery capsule   Form Shrub or small tree   Municipalities Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar   Communities Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland   Habitat Notes Grows on a range of soils, including acidic and moderately alkaline soils. Dislikes very poorly-drained sites. Tolerates wind and frost, although young plants may be susceptible.   Site Tolerance Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy   Frost Tolerance Hardy   Soil Tolerance Clay; Fertile; Loam; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained   General Notes Very useful plant; for erosion control (fibrous roots), shelterbelts, and as wildlife habitat. Bursaria flowers attract many insects, including some that feed on the saw-fly larvae that infest eucalypts, and wasps that parasitise pasture grubs. It is good shelter for birds and Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Timber is pale, fine grained and tough, and seasons well due to very little shrinkage. A source of nectar for honey production. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. Leaves contain aesculin, thought to absorb ultra violet rays and apparently used by early settlers to prevent sunburn. 4-6 weeks stratification @ 4oC = Germination may be enhanced. Not suitable below powerlines.   

 

### Propagation Details

Flowering MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSeed Collecting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSowing MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecCutting MonthsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 

 

 

### Seed Information

 

  Seed Collection Like coins in a papery heart-shaped purse. seeds are dropped when ripe, some may be left in capsules for weeks. leave toe-end of stocking "bag" over nearly-ripe capsules to catch seed as it falls. do not collect in moist weather   Seed Treatment Method Standard   Viable Seeds Per Gram 190   Seed Treatment Notes Sow in winter, when temperatures are low and daylengths short.\* Sow seed fresh, directly into pots if possible. Dislikes pricking out. Seedlings prone to late "damping off", so keep well ventilated, or use appropriate fungicide, such as Prevacure or Tea (Tree?\*) Oil.   Germination Time up to several months   Suitable For Direct Seeding Yes   

 

### Cuttings