SafePlants

Tall Baeckea: An Australian Native

The plant commonly known as Tall Baeckea, scientifically known as Baeckea virgata, is a captivating addition to any garden. Belonging to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, this plant boasts delicate features and a resilient nature.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant produces seeds.
• The plant is a shrub or small tree.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Baeckea virgata (J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Andrews
• Common Names: Tall Baeckea, Tall Heath Myrtle, Twiggy Baeckea
• Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
• Synonyms/Former Classifications:
  • Sannantha pluriflora
  • Sannantha virgata
  • Babingtonia bidwilli (previous re-classification)
  • Babingtonia pluriflora

Distribution and Habitat

• Endemic to Australia.
• Also found in New Caledonia, New Zealand, and the USA.
• Adaptable to a wide range of soils, from moist streambanks to exposed rocky sites.
• Grows naturally on stream banks and in moist gullies.

Morphological Characteristics

• Shrub-like development with a rounded form.
• Medium to large upright shrub, potentially reaching several meters in height.
• Open growth with narrow, fine-textured foliage.
• Dark green leaves.
• Smothered in white flowers from mid-summer, flowering for almost 6 months.
• Some flower stems can reach over ten metres tall.

Quirky Facts

• A 100-year-old Tall Baeckea was a highlight of the 12th National Exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai.

Further Resources

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
• USDA PLANTS database
• International Plant Names Index
• Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), US Department of Agriculture Agricultural