Triplarina imbricata

Family: Myrtaceae
Distribution:  North-eastern New South Wales, usually in heath habitats. Early record near Parramatta is thought to be an error.
Common Name: Creek Triplarina.
Conservation Status: Listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act1 (ie. facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with prescribed criteria). Probable 2ECi classification under the ROTAP1 system. Listed as Endangered in New South Wales under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
Derivation of Name: Triplarina; From Latin triplaris, triple, apparently referring to the calyx, stamens, and styles, which are in groups of three.
imbricata; From Latin imbricatus, overlapping – reference uncertain.

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General Description:

Triplarina is a small genus of small to medium shrubs which occur naturally in New South Wales and Queensland.  There are seven species in the genus which is closely related to Baeckea. The genus was established in 1838 but subsequently merged into Baeckea.  In 1995, Triplarina was resurrected as a distinct genus2.  Further information on the taxonomy of the genus Triplarina and related plants can be found in Geraldton Wax and its Relatives – Background.

Triplarina imbricata (previously included in Baeckea camphorata) is a medium to large shrub up to 3 metres high. The leaves are elliptical to oval shaped, up to 4 mm long and 1.5 mm wide with blunt ends.  Small white, teatree-like flowers occur in the leaf axils during spring and early summer.  They are about 4 mm in diameter

This species is not in general cultivation due to its endangered status. If available, it would be expected to be hardy in well drained soils in full sun or dappled shade.

Seed is not available but could be expected to germinate well without pretreatment. Cuttings of firm, current season’s growth should strike readily.

  1. EPBC Act = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
    ROTAP = Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (Briggs and Leigh, 1988)
    For further information refer the Australian Plants at Risk page
  2. Bean A. R. (1995); Reinstatement and revision of Triplarina Raf. (Myrtaceae). Austrobaileya, Vol. 4, No. 3 (1995), pp. 353-367

 

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Triplarina imbricata
Photo: Murray Fagg – Australian National Botanic Gardens

 

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