What does Baeckea look like?
Baeckea are shrubs and trees with oppositely arranged leaves. The leaves are very small, glandular, and aromatic. Flowers are solitary or borne in simple or compound inflorescences in the leaf axils. The flower has five sepals and five white, pink, or purple petals.
Where is Baeckea found?
Baeckea is widespread along the coast and tablelands of south-eastern Australia. Two species occur in Western Australia, both in the cool, high-rainfall areas near Albany, in heathy swamps. Greatest species diversity is reached on the Central Coast and Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Two species (B. gunniana and B. utilis) extend to alpine communities, above 2000 metres altitude, near Mt Kosciusko.
Fast facts:
- Baeckea is a genus of flowering plants of about 75 species, of which 70 are endemic to Australia.
- Most species of Baeckea apparently require a high water table, and hence they are found in swamps and heathlands; however, two species (B. brevifolia and B. kandos) commonly grow on sandstone rocks. With the exception of B. frutescens, Baeckea species are of temperate climates.
Baeckea – the full story
Baeckea is a genus of flowering plants of about 75 species, of which 70 are endemic to Australia. Baeckea is widespread along the coast and tablelands of south-eastern Australia. Two species occur in Western Australia, both in the cool, high-rainfall areas near Albany, in heathy swamps. Greatest species diversity is reached on the Central Coast and Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Two species (B. gunniana and B. utilis) extend to alpine communities, above 2000 metres altitude, near Mt Kosciusko.
These plants are shrubs and trees with oppositely arranged leaves. The leaves are very small, glandular, and aromatic. Flowers are solitary or borne in simple or compound inflorescences in the leaf axils. The flower has five sepals and five white, pink, or purple petals.
Most species of Baeckea apparently require a high water table, and hence they are found in swamps and heathlands; however, two species (B. brevifolia and B. kandos) commonly grow on sandstone rocks. With the exception of B. frutescens, Baeckea species are of temperate climates.
