PlantNET Home DONATE TODAY | PlantNET Home | Search NSW Flora | Contact Us  
FloraOnline
Introduction
Plant Name Search
Index Search
Spatial Search
Identification Keys
Classification
Glossary
WeedAlert
Telopea Journal
Other Data Sources
NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA ONLINE Printable Page

Genus Backhousia Family Myrtaceae

Synonyms: Choricarpia APNI*

Description: Trees or shrubs.

Leaves opposite, venation obvious, petiolate.

Inflorescences axillary or terminal, variable. Flowers 4- or 5-merous. Sepals often prominent, sometimes petaloid, persistent in fruit. Petals usually shorter than sepals, persistent in fruit. Stamens numerous, free in several whorls; anthers versatile. Ovary half-inferior, 2-locular; ovules few, arranged in a U-shape on an axile placenta; style long, stigma not dilated.

Fruit indehiscent or rarely schizocarpic, thin-walled; seeds depressed-ovoid, usually only 1 or 2 per fruit.


Distribution and occurrence: World: 8 species, endemic Australia. Australia: Qld, N.S.W.

B. citriodora F. Muell., the Lemon Ironwood, is often cultivated as an ornamental tree; its leaves are strongly lemon-scented when crushed.

Choricarpia is now included in Backhousia.

Text by Peter G. Wilson, updated 15 Apr. 2020
Taxon concept:

 Key to the species 
1Peduncles 15–30 mm long; stamens 4–8 mm long, more or less glabrousChoricarpia leptopetala
Peduncles 4–10 mm long; stamens 2–4 mm long, tomentoseChoricarpia subargentea

  Privacy | Copyright | Disclaimer | About PlantNET | Cite PlantNET