Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Baeckea frutescens L. (MYRTACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
False Ru, Cucor Atap,

Description

Shrub or small evergreen tree to 5 m tall with pendent branches. Leaves opposite, needle-like, c. 1 cm long. Flowers 3-4 mm across, cream pink, solitary, axillary. Fruits capsular, urn-shaped, 3 mm diameter, ripening reddish brown.

Ecology

Mainly confined to vegetation on dry sandy or rocky coastal bluffs.

Distribution

Widespread from S China to Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sulawesi, New Guinea and Australia.

Uses

Occasionally planted as ornamental.