Mountain Rocket

Bellendena montana grows as a low, spreading multistemmed shrub to anywhere from 10 cm (3.9 in) to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) high, and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in diameter. The leaves are thick and variable, ranging from oblanceolate to spathulate to wedge-shaped (cuneate) in shape with recurved margins and measuring 1–6 cm (0.4–2.4 in) long and 0.2–2.2 cm (0.08–0.87 in) wide. Plants from north-eastern Tasmania have narrower leaves than elsewhere, and populations from higher altitudes have smaller leaves and more crowded foliage. The flowers occur in terminal racemes which are held on short stems above the foliage. These are followed by small egg-shaped (obovate) bright red or yellow fruit, which are ripe in late summer and autumn.

Bellendena montana is found at altitudes above 1000 m (3500 ft), though rarely lower to 400 m (1,300 ft). It grows on low-nutrient soils (mostly dolerite, but sometimes quartzite or basalt-derived) with good drainage, often rocky outcrops, as well as more boggy areas and alpine heathland. It is locally abundant and not considered to be threatened.

The plant has attractive flowers, fruit and foliage, but is not often cultivated because it is difficult to grow at low altitudes. Propagation by seed or cutting is unreliable.