General Description:
George Bentham in 1867 established a broad concept for the genus Baeckea but in recent years studies have shown that, because of differences in the group, many Baeckea species should be placed into other genera, including Ochrosperma, Triplarina, Babingtonia, Euryomyrtus, Kardomia, and Sannantha. In 2001, M.E. Trudgen reinstated and revised the genus Euryomyrtus which consists of 7 species – the revision reclassifies the species formerly known as Baeckea denticulata as Euryomyrtus denticulata. Further information on the taxonomy of the genus Baeckea and related plants can be found in the “Background” tab on the Geraldton Wax and Relatives page.
Euryomyrtus denticulata is a small, often semi-prostrate, spreading shrub to 0.2 metres high. It has small, oval-shaped leaves 3-7 mm long by 1-3 mm wide. The small, tea tree-like, white flowers are about 8 mm in diameter with prominent stamens. Flowering apparently occurs through much of the year but mainly from autumn to spring.
This species is apparently not in cultivation, probably due to lack of propagating material. It would seem to be a useful garden plant due to its moderate size, attractive flowers and likely frost tolerance.
Nothing is known about propagation of E.denticulata but it is likely that propagation from both seed and cuttings should be possible.
Euryomyrtus denticulata
Photo: Brian Walters