Scientific Name: Baeckea gunniana

Common Name: alpine heathmyrtle

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Myrtaceae

Form Description: Erect, densely branched shrub, or prostrate and spreading over boulders.

Height (m): 0.5 – 1.5

Flowers: Petals, white, 5-7 stamens, not opposite petals. Often numerous at ends of branchlets.

Fruit: Capsule – insignificant cup-like capsules turn from green to pale brown when ripe. Fruits are not persistent and open to release seed from 3 valves when ripe.

Municipality
Break O’DayCentral CoastCentral HighlandsDerwent ValleyDorsetGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationHeathSedgeland and Wetland
Habitat Notes

Abundant in sub-alpine habitats. Frequent in bog and wetter alpine heaths, sometimes dominant. More common in the east of Tasmania than the west.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Waterlogged, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Foliage has a strong lemony eucalyptus-like smell when crushed.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Treatment Method

Surface Sow Sow seed finely on the surface of the potting mix and cover with just enough mix to hold the seed on the surface when watered.

Seed Treatment Notes

Seed is not easy to locate. Capillary watering may be useful.

Germination Time

2 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Difficult to strike from cuttings. Try half-hardened wood.