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Alpine Baeckea

A densely branched shrub with a tea-tree aroma when crushed.

Usually grows between 0.5 - 1 m in height. May reach 2 m tall in lower altitudes.

Will usually grow along the ground or against rocks.

Leaves

Usually crowded, oblong, and do not spread very widely. Size approximately 2–4 mm long and 1 mm wide, thick, concavo-convex (concave on both sides) and pointed at ends.

Flowers

Solitary, white and have circular petals, 8 mm across. Usually appear between December and April.

Fruits/Seeds

Cuplike with angular seeds. Fruits grow to approximately 2 mm in diameter.

Field Guide

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  • Species Category: Plants
  • Species origin: Native
  • Conservation status: Common
  • Did You Know?
    • The leaves emit a powerful camphor-like scent when handled

  • What to Observe

    • First fully open single flower

    • Full flowering (record all days)

    • End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)

    • Open seed pods containing seeds (record all days)

    Climate Adaptations

    Climate change will directly affect the ecological communities in which this alpine species resides. An increase in temperature and extreme heat events will reduce viable habitat for this species.

  • When and Where

    When To Look

    • Year round
    • Flowers appear between December and April

    Where To Look

    • In southeast mainland Australia and Tasmania
    • Occurs in alpine and subalpine sites
    • In heath and sedge-lands in wet rocky sites or bogs, above 1000 m altitude

  • What Else?

    Similar Species

    Mountain Baeckea (Baeckea utilis) branches of this plant are far more wiry and slender. Leaves spread much wider and are flat on their surface and keeled below. Flowers are also slightly smaller (to 6 mm across) whereas B. gunniana flowers are 8 mm across.
  • Trails: Lake Catani Mount Buffalo VIC
  • Species Region: Australia