| Baeckea frutescens | |
|---|---|
| |
| In Belitung, Sumatra | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Baeckea |
| Species: | B. frutescens |
| Binomial name | |
| Baeckea frutescens L. | |
| Synonyms | |
| List | |
Baeckea frutescens is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is native to eastern Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia. It is a shrub with arching branches, linear leaves and white flowers with seven to thirteen stamens.
Description
Baeckea frutescens is a shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and has arching branches. Its leaves are linear and often clustered on short side-branches, 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) long and about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) wide on a petiole 0.5–0.6 mm (0.020–0.024 in) long. The flowers are arranged singly in leaf axils and are 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 in) wide on a pedicel 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. The five sepals are rounded-triangular, the five petals white, more or less round and 1.0–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) long, and there are seven to thirteen stamens. Flowering mainly occurs in summer and the fruit is a capsule about 2 mm (0.079 in) in diameter.
Taxonomy
Baeckea frutescens was first formally described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum. The specific epithet (frutescens) means "becoming bushy or shrubby".
Distribution and habitat
This baeckea grows in heath and open grassland from south-east China to eastern Australia. In Australia it grows in near-coastal areas as far south as Port Macquarie.
Use in horticulture
This species' tiny leaves and branches make it a popular subject of bonsai.
References
- ^ "Baeckea frutescens". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ Wilson, Peter G. "Baeckea frutescens". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Baeckea frutescens". Flora of China. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- Bean, Anthony R. (1997). "A revision of Baeckea (Myrtaceae) in eastern Australia, Malesia and south-east Asia". Telopea. 7 (3): 247–250. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- "Baeckea frutescens". APNI. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- Linnaeus, Carl (1753). Species Plantarum. pp. 358–359. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 202. ISBN 9780958034180.
- Tan Cheng Li (3 May 2016). "Unique plants in a scanty forest" (PDF). Star2. The Star. p. 5. Retrieved 19 May 2023 – via Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia.