Family:	Epacridaceae
	Distribution:	Coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
	Common Name:	Pine heath
	Derivation of Name:	Astroloma....from Greek, astro, a star and loma, a fringe or border, referring to hairing within the floral tube pinifolium....Similar in foliage to the genus Pinus
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

The genus Astroloma consists of about 20 species of mainly small shrubs. All occur only in Australia, mainly in Western Australia but with a few in the south-east of the continent. They occur in a variety of habitats, mainly in woodlands, open forests and heaths.

Astroloma pinifolium is a small shrub up to about 1 metre tall but often smaller. The leaves are narrow, linear shaped and about 10 - 20 mm long, soft to the touch. The flowers are narrow at both ends, tubular in shape and about 20 mm long. They are red or yellow at the base with a greenish tip and occur singly from the leaf axils. Flowering occurs from spring through to summer. The fruit is a small, greenish berry which is edible.

Astrolomas, generally, are not widely cultivated and have proven to be difficult to maintain in the garden. A.pinifolium is no exception but can be grown successfully if given a well drained, moist position in semi shade. It is also a very attractive plant for a container.

Propagation is usually by cuttings of firm current season's growth. A.pinifolium usually gives a better success rate than many other astrolomas. Germination of seed is unreliable.