Tall baeckea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tall baeckea |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sannantha
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| Species: |
pluriflora
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Sannantha pluriflora, also known as the tall baeckea, is a beautiful flowering plant. It's a type of shrub or small tree that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it's only found naturally in Australia (this is what "endemic" means!).
Tall baeckea plants can grow up to 4 metres (about 13 feet) tall. They produce lovely white flowers that usually grow in small groups of three to seven. These flowers bloom between October and April in Australia. Each flower has five round petals and between 8 to 15 stamens (the parts that make pollen). After the flowers, small fruits appear, which are about 2.5 to 3.5 millimetres across.
How the Tall Baeckea Got Its Name
The tall baeckea has had a few different names over the years! In 1855, a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller first officially described the plant. He gave it the name Camphoromyrtus pluriflora.
Later, in 1997, it was moved into a different group of plants called Babingtonia. Then, in 2007, scientists created a brand new group, or genus, called Sannantha, and that's where Sannantha pluriflora was placed. For a long time, people sometimes confused it with another plant called Baeckea virgata. However, Baeckea virgata (now known as Sannantha virgata) is actually from New Caledonia, not Australia.
Where Does the Tall Baeckea Grow?
You can find the tall baeckea growing naturally in eastern Australia. Its native range stretches from a place called Gippsland in Victoria, all the way north to Port Stephens in New South Wales.
Growing Tall Baeckea Plants
People have been growing the tall baeckea in gardens for many years. It's a popular plant, and it has been known by different names in cultivation.
Some special types, called cultivars, have been developed. These are plants that have been chosen for certain features, like their size or flower color. Some well-known cultivars include:
- 'Clarence River'
- 'Golden'
- 'La Petite'
- 'White Cascade'
