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Backhousia myrtifolia - Hook.f.&Harv.                
                 
Common Name Grey Myrtle
Family Myrtaceae
Synonyms
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Gullies and the margins of rainforests[265].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, E. Victoria.
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun

Summary       

Physical Characteristics       
 icon of manicon of shrub
Backhousia myrtifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 12 m (39ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower in May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)


Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Backhousia myrtifolia Grey Myrtle


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Backhousia_myrtifolia.jpg
Backhousia myrtifolia Grey Myrtle
   
Habitats       
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses                                         
None known
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.



None known
Other Uses
Essential;  Wood.

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves[154]. The uses are not specified. Wood - hard, tough, strong, close grained. Used for tool handles, wheels, construction etc[154].
Cultivation details                                         
Prefers a position in full sun in a fertile moisture retentive well-drained soil[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], in Britain it is only reliably hardy in the Scilly Isles[1]. Plants in Australian gardens tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c[157], but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. Seed can remain viable on the plant for 3 - 4 years[200].
                                                                                 
Propagation                                         
Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn in a greenhouse and keep the compost moist until germination takes place. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[200].
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Expert comment                                         
 
      
Author                                         
Hook.f.&Harv.
                                                                                 
Botanical References                                         
154200265
                                                                                 
Links / References                                         

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[154]Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
[157]Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants.
A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[265]Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region
Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.

Readers comment                                         
 
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