Family:	Epacridaceae
	Distribution:	Wet forests of south-east Tasmania.
	Common Name:	No generally accepted common name
	Derivation of Name:	Richea....After Claude Riche, 18th century botanist dracophylla.... with leaves like the genus Dracophyllum
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

The genus Richea consists of about 10 species, all but one of which are endemic to Tasmania. The other, R.continentalis, is found in alpine bogs of Victoria and New South Wales.

R.dracophylla is a tall, erect shrub to about 5 metres high but often smaller. It is usually only slightly branched with clusters of leaves towards the ends of the branches. The leaves are are up to about 30 cm long, tapering to a sharp point and, like all richeas, they have "sheathing" bases...ie, the base of the leaf wraps completely around the stem. The white flowers occur on large clusters towards the ends of the branches in spring.

Richeas, generally, are not widely cultivated but R.dracophylla has been cultivated in Tasmania and should be suitable to cool climates. It prefers well composted, moist soils but with reasonable drainage and in a sheltered position. It is an excellent foliage plant for a container or as a cut flower.

Propagation can be carried out from seed which does not require pretreatment. The species may also be propagated from cuttings but the success rate may be low.