Baeckea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baeckea |
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| Baeckea linifolia | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Subfamily: | Myrtoideae |
| Tribe: | Chamelaucieae |
| Genus: | Baeckea L. |
| Synonyms | |
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List
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Baeckea is a group of flowering plants. They belong to the Myrtaceae family, also known as the myrtle family. Most Baeckea plants are found only in Australia. Only one species grows outside Australia.
These plants are usually shrubs or small trees. Their leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. Baeckea flowers are often white or deep pink. Each flower has five sepals (small leaf-like parts under the petals) and five petals. They also have five to fifteen stamens (parts that make pollen), which are shorter than the petals.
Contents
What Does a Baeckea Plant Look Like?
Baeckea plants are smooth shrubs. Sometimes, they can grow into small trees. Their leaves usually grow in opposite pairs. This means the leaves are arranged across from each other on the stem.
Baeckea Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Baeckea usually grow one by one. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a small stalk called a pedicel. There are two tiny leaf-like parts, called bracteoles, at the base of this stalk. These tiny parts might fall off as the flower opens.
Each Baeckea flower has five sepals. It also has five petals that are mostly round. These petals are separate from each other and can be white to deep pink. Inside the flower, there are five to fifteen stamens. These stamens are shorter than the petals. They open up with parallel slits to release pollen. After the flower blooms, it forms a capsule. This is a dry fruit that holds many small seeds.
How Baeckea Got Its Name
The name Baeckea was first officially used in 1753. This happened when a famous Swedish scientist named Carl Linnaeus described the genus. He wrote about it in his book called Species Plantarum.
The genus was named to honor Abraham Bäck. He was a Swedish doctor who lived from 1713 to 1795.
Related Plants and Their Names
Over time, scientists have learned more about plants. Many species that were once called Baeckea are now placed in other groups. These include Euryomyrtus, Harmogia, Kardomia, Oxymyrrhine, Rinzia, Sannantha, Seorsus, and Triplarina.
Baeckea plants are closely related to several other plant groups. These include Myrcianthes and Acmena, which have fleshy fruits. They are also related to Angophora and Backhousia, which have dry fruits.
Where Do Baeckea Plants Grow?
Most Baeckea species are endemic to Australia. This means they are found naturally only in Australia. However, one species, B. frutescens, also grows in Malesia. Malesia is a region in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Types of Baeckea Species
There are many different types of Baeckea plants. As of January 2022, Plants of the World Online recognizes 27 accepted species. These species grow in various parts of Australia. Some are found in New South Wales (N.S.W.), Queensland (Qld.), Western Australia (W.A.), Victoria (Vic.), and Tasmania (Tas.).
Here are a few examples of Baeckea species:
- Baeckea diosmifolia is known as fringed baeckea.
- Baeckea gunniana is called alpine baeckea.
- Baeckea imbricata is also known as heath myrtle.
- Baeckea linifolia has several common names, including swamp baeckea and weeping baeckea.
- Baeckea utilis is often called mountain baeckea.
See also
In Spanish: Baeckea para niños
