Pterocaulon serrulatum – Pintye Pintye (seed)

Description

Pterocaulon serrulatum is a member of the Asteraceae family. A fairly tall (up to 150cm), strongly scented hairy, perennial herb with alternate, broad-based leaves tapering at both ends, 2–5 cm long, with toothed margins and a wrinkled blister-like surface. The flower heads occur in oval clusters at the ends of the stems. The flowers are coloured white, cream or pink. The edges of the leaf stalks continue downwards along the stem, forming a saw-like ridge

Pintye-Pintye is a favoured medicine for people with very bad influenza, or with flu-like symptoms. The leaves are collected, ground up and mixed with fat to make an ointment. This ointment is rubbed into the chest and the back of the sufferer, and into any aching joints. The strength of the Pintye-Pintye is known to be at its highest after rain. Fat available to these people is animal fat, obtained from the goanna, perentie, carpet snake, kangaroo, possum, echidna, and emu(from Some Magnetic Island Plants website).

Care and Cultivation of Pterocaulon serrulatum

Sow Pterocaulon serrulatum seeds in spring/summer/autumn (when min temps are above 15ºC) sprinkled on the surface of a good quality seed raising mix and keep moist until germination in 14-28 days. Be careful not to wash them out when watering, they are tiny.. Pintye-Pintye likes a full sun position with adequate moisture and regular fertiliser. Treat as an annual or biennial.

50+ seeds per packet