Family:	Epacridaceae
	Distribution:	Mountains and sub-alpine areas of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
	Common Name:	Thyme heath
	Derivation of Name:	Epacris....from Greek, epi, upon and acris, a summit, referring to the altitude where some species occur. serpyllifolia...having leaves similar to the genus Serpyllum.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

The genus Epacris consists of about 40 species of mainly small shrubs. Most are endemic to Australia but a few species can be found in New Zealand and New Caledonia. They occur in a variety of habitats from alpine areas to coastal heaths.

E.serpyllifolia is a small shrub from 0.3 to about 1.2 metres high with a spreading habit. The leaves are small (up to 5 mm long) and oval shaped, ending in a point. In some areas newer leaves may have a reddish colour during winter. The white flowers are tubular in shape to about 6 mm long with spreading lobes.

This species is not often seen in cultivation but should be suited to protected, well drained positions in cooler climates. It should make an attractive plant for a container.

Propagation of E.serpyllifolia can be carried out by cuttings of firm current season's growth. The species can be grown from seed but this is not readily available.