Sannantha virgata

(Forst. & Forst. f.) Peter G. Wilson

Twiggy Heath Myrtle, Twiggy Baeckea, Tall Baeckea

Myrtaceae Edible: Leaves - tea 99 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Sannantha virgata is a flowering shrub species in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia. The plant grows to between 0.5 and 3 metres high. White flowers appear in spring or summer with 5 rounded petals surrounding 7 to 10 stamens. The fruits are 1–2 mm wide and 2–3 mm in length.

Description

An erect shrub. It grows 1-3 m high and spreads 1-2 m across. The stems are slender and spreading. They sometimes hang downwards at the ends. The leaves are sword shaped and 1-2.5 cm long and 2-6 mm wide. The midrib is easy to see. The flowers are small and white. They are 8 mm across and with 5 rounded petals. They are grouped into clusters of 3-7 flowers together. The fruit is a tiny capsule 3 mm across.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used to make tea.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used for tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It occurs in coastal districts. It grows in heath and open forests often along stream banks. It suits temperate and subtropical climates. It can tolerate heavy frosts. It needs moist well drained soils. It suits hardiness zones 9-10. Wittunga Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed or by tip cuttings.

Notes

There are 70 Baeckea species. Most are in Australia.

Synonyms

Babingtonia virgata (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) F. MuellBaeckia virgata (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) AndrewsLeptospermum virgatum J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.and others

References (16)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 125 (As Baeckea virgata)
Bonney, N., 1997, Economic Native Trees and Shrubs for South Australia. Greening Australia (SA) inc. Campbelltown SA 5074 p 36 (As Baeckea virgata)
Bot. Repos. 10: t. 598. 1810 (As Baeckea virgata)
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 158 (As Baeckea virgata)
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 173 (As Baeckea virgata)

Show all 16 references

Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 89 (As Baeckea virgata)
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 278 (As Baeckea virgata)
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 113 (As Baeckea virgata)
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 140
Greig, D., 1996, Flowering Natives for Home Gardens. Angus & Robertson. p 62
Grieg, D., 2002, A photographic guide to Wildflowers of South-eastern Australia. New Holland. p 76
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 37
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 30 (As Baeckea virgata)
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 149 (As Baeckea virgata)
Molyneux, B & Forrester, S., 1997, The Austraflora A-Z of Australian Plants. Reed. p 48 (As Baeckea virgata)
Steenbeeke, Greg as part of the Plants Directory project. List of plant species from northern NSW that may be used as food plants p 10 (As Baeckea virgata)