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The fruit is green and cup-like when immature<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/a7139372-abf0-45ed-be76-7aada92c439d|title=Flora of Victoria|website=vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref> and woody, dehiscent capsule at maturity<ref name="ANBG" />. Seeds are small and angular, remaining inconspicuous on the ground upon release<ref name="ANBG" /><ref name=":2" />. Seed coat/covering or testa of some ''Baeckea'' species has been recorded to form a physical barrier inhibiting seed germination<ref name="ANBG" />. This may be reverted by removing or nicking the testa using a needle or scalpel, improving the rate of germination<ref name="ANBG" />. ''B. gunniana'' can also be vegetatively propagated from cuttings of semi-hardened new growth.
The fruit is green and cup-like when immature<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/a7139372-abf0-45ed-be76-7aada92c439d|title=Flora of Victoria|website=vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref> and woody, dehiscent capsule at maturity<ref name="ANBG" />. Seeds are small and angular, remaining inconspicuous on the ground upon release<ref name="ANBG" /><ref name=":2" />. Seed coat/covering or testa of some ''Baeckea'' species has been recorded to form a physical barrier inhibiting seed germination<ref name="ANBG" />. This may be reverted by removing or nicking the testa using a needle or scalpel, improving the rate of germination<ref name="ANBG" />. ''B. gunniana'' can also be vegetatively propagated from cuttings of semi-hardened new growth.


== Distribution and Habitat ==
== Distribution and habitat ==
Distribution is restricted to alpine or subalpine regions, from Mt Ginini in ACT to south-west Tasmania<ref name="ANBG" /><ref name=":0" />. ''Baeckea gunniana'' is most prevalent at high altitudes between 1000 to 1400 m. However, it has been observed to grow above 2000 m near Mt Kosciusko, and as low as 450 m in western Tasmania<ref name=":0" />. All species in the genus ''Baeckea'' are confined to Australia, except for the type species, ''B. frutescens (''L.), which extends from eastern Australia through [[Malesia]] to China<ref name=":0" />.
Distribution is restricted to alpine or subalpine regions, from Mt Ginini in ACT to south-west Tasmania<ref name="ANBG" /><ref name=":0" />. ''Baeckea gunniana'' is most prevalent at high altitudes between 1000 to 1400 m. However, it has been observed to grow above 2000 m near Mt Kosciusko, and as low as 450 m in western Tasmania<ref name=":0" />. All species in the genus ''Baeckea'' are confined to Australia, except for the type species, ''B. frutescens (''L.), which extends from eastern Australia through [[Malesia]] to China<ref name=":0" />.


''Baeckea gunniana'' is commonly found growing with species such as [[Melaleuca pityoides|''Callistemon pityoides'']], [[Epacris paludosa|''Epacris paludosa'']], and [[Empodisma minus|''Empodisma minus'']], in heathlands or boggy sedgeland<ref name=":0" />. It is also common near creeks, and sometimes in shaded areas under ''[[Eucalyptus]]'' spp<ref name="ANBG" />.
''Baeckea gunniana'' is commonly found growing with species such as [[Melaleuca pityoides|''Callistemon pityoides'']], [[Epacris paludosa|''Epacris paludosa'']], and [[Empodisma minus|''Empodisma minus'']], in heathlands or boggy sedgeland<ref name=":0" />. It is also common near creeks, and sometimes in shaded areas under ''[[Eucalyptus]]'' spp<ref name="ANBG" />.


== Taxonomy and Phylogeny ==
== Taxonomy and phylogeny ==
The species was first formally described by the German botanist Johannes Conrad Schauer in 1843<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2912605|title=Baeckea gunniana|last=Australia|first=Atlas of Living|website=bie.ala.org.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref> .
The species was first formally described by the German botanist Johannes Conrad Schauer in 1843.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2912605|title=Baeckea gunniana|last=Australia|first=Atlas of Living|website=bie.ala.org.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>


The closest Myrtaceae ''sensu stricto'' lineage is represented by two fleshy fruited (''[[Myrcianthes]]'' and ''[[Acmena]]'') and three dry fruited taxa. ''[[Angophora]]'' and ''[[Backhousia]]'' are sister genera to ''Baeckea'', belonging to a dry-fruited lineage of Myrtaceae<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Conti|first=Elena|last2=Litt|first2=Amy|last3=Wilson|first3=Peter G.|last4=Graham|first4=Shirley A.|last5=Briggs|first5=Barbara G.|last6=Johnson|first6=L. A. S.|last7=Sytsma|first7=Kenneth J.|date=1997|title=Interfamilial Relationships in Myrtales: Molecular Phylogeny and Patterns of Morphological Evolution|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2419432|journal=Systematic Botany|volume=22|issue=4|pages=629|doi=10.2307/2419432|issn=0363-6445|via=}}</ref>.[[File:Baec gunn.jpg|thumb|White ''Myrtaceae'' flowers of ''Baeckea gunniana'' Photo © Greg Jordan. © 2019 University of Tasmania |alt=]]
The closest Myrtaceae ''sensu stricto'' lineage is represented by two fleshy fruited (''[[Myrcianthes]]'' and ''[[Acmena]]'') and three dry fruited taxa. ''[[Angophora]]'' and ''[[Backhousia]]'' are sister genera to ''Baeckea'', belonging to a dry-fruited lineage of Myrtaceae<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Conti|first=Elena|last2=Litt|first2=Amy|last3=Wilson|first3=Peter G.|last4=Graham|first4=Shirley A.|last5=Briggs|first5=Barbara G.|last6=Johnson|first6=L. A. S.|last7=Sytsma|first7=Kenneth J.|date=1997|title=Interfamilial Relationships in Myrtales: Molecular Phylogeny and Patterns of Morphological Evolution|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2419432|journal=Systematic Botany|volume=22|issue=4|pages=629|doi=10.2307/2419432|issn=0363-6445|via=}}</ref>.[[File:Baec gunn.jpg|thumb|White ''Myrtaceae'' flowers of ''Baeckea gunniana'' Photo © Greg Jordan. © 2019 University of Tasmania |alt=]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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{{Taxonbar|from=Q15400846}}

Revision as of 21:54, 17 December 2019

Baeckea gunniana
Baeckea gunniana Photo © Greg Jordan. © 2019 University of Tasmania
Baeckea gunniana Photo © Greg Jordan. © 2019 University of Tasmania
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Baeckea
Species:
B. gunniana
Binomial name
Baeckea gunniana
Schauer ex Walp.
Occurrence distribution of Baeckea gunniana  Atlas of Living Australia, Map data © OpenStreetMap, imagery © CartoDB

Baeckea gunniana, commonly known as alpine baeckea, is a species of a compact, densely branched evergreen shrub, growing in alpine and sub-alpine Australia[1]. Baeckea is a genus of flowering plants in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, comprising 14 species occurring in eastern Australia and Asia[2].

Baeckea leaves are edible and often used as a tea substitute because of their aromatic citrus-like flavour[1][3]. Extracts from B. gunniana have been found to inhibit the activity of DNA Polymerase enzyme [4]. It forms an integral part of the Broad-toothed mouse habitat in NSW, Australia, providing protection from predators and other large grazers[3].

Description

Baeckea gunniana is a smooth, compact shrub growing to 1.5 m high, although can reach up to 2 m at lower altitudes[5]. It is sometimes prostrate or spreading over rocks and boulders[6]. Branchlets are brown with a flat segment on a papery or fibrous brown bark[2]. Leaves are small (2-4 mm long; 0.6-0.8 mm wide) and crowded, obovate to oblong shaped with a blunt apex[5], and with entire margins and petioles c. 0.5 mm long[2]. The flowers are white, small and numerous, borne solitarily in the upper leaf axils[7]. Sepals are triangular and obtuse, with a corolla 4–5 mm in diameter and circular petals c. 1–1.8 mm long. Stamens 4–6, not opposite petals. The ovary has a single locule. Style is terete and only slightly inserted into the ovary summit[5]. The unilocular ovary, where the pendulous placenta and ovules are enclosed by a single membrane, is characteristic to the species and unique in the genus[2].

The fruit is green and cup-like when immature[7] and woody, dehiscent capsule at maturity[5]. Seeds are small and angular, remaining inconspicuous on the ground upon release[5][7]. Seed coat/covering or testa of some Baeckea species has been recorded to form a physical barrier inhibiting seed germination[5]. This may be reverted by removing or nicking the testa using a needle or scalpel, improving the rate of germination[5]. B. gunniana can also be vegetatively propagated from cuttings of semi-hardened new growth.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution is restricted to alpine or subalpine regions, from Mt Ginini in ACT to south-west Tasmania[5][2]. Baeckea gunniana is most prevalent at high altitudes between 1000 to 1400 m. However, it has been observed to grow above 2000 m near Mt Kosciusko, and as low as 450 m in western Tasmania[2]. All species in the genus Baeckea are confined to Australia, except for the type species, B. frutescens (L.), which extends from eastern Australia through Malesia to China[2].

Baeckea gunniana is commonly found growing with species such as Callistemon pityoides, Epacris paludosa, and Empodisma minus, in heathlands or boggy sedgeland[2]. It is also common near creeks, and sometimes in shaded areas under Eucalyptus spp[5].

Taxonomy and phylogeny

The species was first formally described by the German botanist Johannes Conrad Schauer in 1843.[8]

The closest Myrtaceae sensu stricto lineage is represented by two fleshy fruited (Myrcianthes and Acmena) and three dry fruited taxa. Angophora and Backhousia are sister genera to Baeckea, belonging to a dry-fruited lineage of Myrtaceae[9].

White Myrtaceae flowers of Baeckea gunniana Photo © Greg Jordan. © 2019 University of Tasmania

References

  1. ^ a b "Key to Tasmanian Dicots". University of Tasmania. Retrieved 28 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Bean, Anthony (1997). "A revision of Baeckea (Myrtaceae) in eastern Australia, Malesia and south-east Asia". Telopea. 7 (3): 245–268. doi:10.7751/telopea19971018. ISSN 0312-9764.
  3. ^ a b Belcher, C.; Leslie, D. (2011). "Broad-toothed RatMastacomys fuscusdistribution in Buccleuch, Bago and Maragle State Forests, NSW". Australian Zoologist. 35 (3): 555–559. doi:10.7882/az.2011.007. ISSN 0067-2238.
  4. ^ Deng, Jing-Zhen; Starck, Shelley R.; Hecht, Sidney M. (2019). "DNA Polymerase β Inhibitors fromBaeckea gunniana". Journal of Natural Products. 62 (12): 1624–1626. doi:10.1021/np990240w. ISSN 0163-3864.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Baeckea gunniana - Growing Native Plants". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 28 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Walsh, N. Entwisle, Timothy J. (1996). Flora of Victoria. Volume 3, dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae. Inkata. ISBN 0-409-30852-8. OCLC 223634887.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b c "Flora of Victoria". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  8. ^ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Baeckea gunniana". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  9. ^ Conti, Elena; Litt, Amy; Wilson, Peter G.; Graham, Shirley A.; Briggs, Barbara G.; Johnson, L. A. S.; Sytsma, Kenneth J. (1997). "Interfamilial Relationships in Myrtales: Molecular Phylogeny and Patterns of Morphological Evolution". Systematic Botany. 22 (4): 629. doi:10.2307/2419432. ISSN 0363-6445.