TASMANNIA lanceolata

Tasmania's native 'pepper' is an attractive shrub up to 5 metres high with dark green leaves and distinctive crimson young stems and bears black fruit, the size of a pea.
The pepper berries produce approximately 3 times more anti-oxidants than blueberries and have become a prized ingredient by chefs all over the world. They have a stronger, hot spicy flavour than black pepper and are more aromatic the normal pepper.

The berries should be harvested and left to dry until wrinkled and hard, at this point they are used as any other peppercorn. Use in pepper grinders, add to Asian and chilli dishes, salad dressings, marinades and pickling.
The aromatic leaves can be used fresh or dried in casseroles and stew but should only be added in the last half hour of cooking as they are quite strong, remove the leaves before serving, much the same way as you use Bay leaves.

Does well in sub-alpine climates.

Native to New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Prefers well-composted soil in a protected shaded position, frost resistant but drought tender.

Please Note: Although many of the traditional Bush Food and Medicine plants are now commercially produced in various forms we recommend you re-search these before using them as any form of food or medicine. Some parts of the plant may not be edible or some may need to be prepared before they are safe to eat or use in any way. We do our best to describe their traditional & modern uses. It is the purchaser's responsibility to ensure they are fit for their intended use.

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C

Cold stratification of 28 days is recommended for this species. Cold treatment is not critical for germination to occur but should give increased germination rates.

This can be replicated by cold stratification in the refrigerator for 28 days. Alternatively wintering in the garden in cold climates will assist germination.

1. Soak in water overnight.
2. Sow seed on the surface of a porous seed-raising mix. The seed will lodge in the pores of the mix once watered.
3. Sprinkle a very light covering of the seed-raising mix over the seed.
4. Do not bury the seed deeply.
5. Water with a fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
6. Ensure the mix is moist but not waterlogged.
7. Place the container in a plastic bag.
8. Place the bagged container in the refrigerator for 28 days.
9. Germination generally occurs in 14-28 days when moved to warmer temperatures after the period of cold treatment.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.