Family:	Epacridaceae
	Distribution:	Wet mountain forests of Tasmania, extending to an altitude of 1200 metres.
	Common Name:	Giant grass tree; pandani
	Derivation of Name:	Richea....After Claude Riche, 18th century botanist pandanifolia....with leaves like the genus Pandanus
	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.pandanifolia is a tall palm-like species which grows from 2 to 12 metres high. It usually grows on a single stem but may be occasionally branched. It has tapering leaves which may be 0.3 to 1.5 metres long and, like all richeas, they have "sheathing" bases...ie, the base of the leaf wraps completely around the stem. The leaves are densely crowded towards the top of the trunk. The white or deep pink flowers occur on panicles (a branched inflorescence) up to 25 cm long. They arise from the leaf axils and are often hidden among the leaves. The flowers are covered by large bracts which fall as the flowers develop.

Richeas, generally, are not widely cultivated but R.pandanifolia 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.

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