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Classification
Baeckea is one of eight Tasmanian genera in the Myrtaceae (Myrtle) family along with Calytrix, Eucalyptus, Euryomyrtus, Kunzea, Leptospermum, Melaleuca (Callistemon), and Thryptomene. The Baeckea genus includes 14 species, most of which are confined to Australia. Tasmania has two species of Baeckea; Baeckea gunniana and Baeckea leptocaulis. Baeckea gunniana is a sub-alpine to alpine shrub and Baeckea leptocaulis is a lowland shrub found in buttongrass heaths.

Census listing
Baeckea gunniana Schauer, Repert. Bot. Syst. (Walpers) 2: 920 (1843). Baeckea leptocaulis Hook.f., Icon. Pl. 3: t.298 (1840).

Name origins
Carl Linnaeus named the genus Baeckea (pronounced BECK-ee-AH) after his close friend Dr Abrahan Baeck (1713-1795) a Swedish physician and naturalist. Baeckea gunniana (pronounced gunn-ee-AH-nah) was named after Tasmanian plant collector Ronald Campbell Gunn (1808-1881) who collected the type material of this species. Common names include Alpine heathmyrtleMountain heathmyrtle or simply Alpine Baeckea.

Baeckea leptocaulis (pronounced lep-toh-CAW-lis) is derived from the greek word ‘leptos’ meaning slender and ‘caulos’ a stem or stalk. This refers to the slender erect branches typical of the plant. Common names include slender heathmytrle, prickly heathmyrtle or slender Baeckea.

Identifying characteristics
Baeckea gunniana is a variable, low, spreading or arching ornamental woody shrub that grows up to 1.5m tall and 0.5-2m wide. It is often found prostrate or hugging rocks in more exposed alpine environments. B.gunniana has red stems with grey-dark green oblong leaves that are small (2-6mm long) blunt, crowded and aromatic. Flowering occurs during the summer months with numerous very small (2-5mm across) white flowers found towards the end of branches. These have five petals with five or more stamens around the nectar disc between the petals, and have red or green centres. The seeds are brown and contained in a capsule, a typical characteristic of the Myrtaceae family. B.gunniana can be distinguished by the visible glands on the leaves and the aromatic spicy lemon scent when crushed. B.gunniana is more compact and has shorter leaves than B. leptocaulis.

Baeckea leptocaulis is a slender erect shrub growing to heights of 0.5-2m tall and 0.3-0.75m wide. The pleasantly aromatic leaves are narrow, linear and pointed 5-10mm long, with reddish tinged margins. Flowering occurs in spring, white flowers with round petals are found singularly in the upper leaf axis. The fruit is a capsule 2-3mm across. The most distinguishing features of this species are the small, narrow, aromatic, pointed leaves with no obvious glands.

Distribution and Habitat
Baeckea gunniana is common in wetter alpine areas above 800m in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and the Australian Capital Territory. The species has also been found up to 2000m near Mt Kosciusko (NSW), and at lower altitudes of 450m in western Tasmanian. B.gunniana commonly grows with species such as Empodisma minus, Epacris paludosa, Callistemon pityoides, and even occasionally will grow with Eucalytpus spp. near creeks, rivers, boggy sedgelands or heathlands.

Baeckea leptocaulis is found frequently in lowland wet heath environments of the north-west and south-west of Tasmania at altitudes from 20-900m. It is typically found occurring with species such as Gynoschoenus sphaerocephalus (button grass) Eurychorda complanata, Sprengelia incarnate, Bauera rubioides, and Epacris Spp.

Affinities
Baeckea gunniana is closely related to Baeckea omissa a species found in New South Wales and Queensland. B.gunniana can be distinguished from B.omissa by having a unilocular ovary, less (4-6) stamens per flower and longer sepals.

Baeckea leptocaulis is closely related to Baeckea linifolia, a species found in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The species differ in that B.leptocaulis has 5-7 stamens per flower while B.linifolia has 8-12 and more ovules per loculus. B.leptocaulis also has the distinguishing features of obtuse sepals and more papery bark compared to B.linifolia that has acute or acuminate sepals and scaly bark.

Cultivation
Baeckea gunniana is great for horticulture in rocky and moist sites. It can be propagated from seeds or from cuttings, however both are associated with difficulties as the seeds are hard to collect, and the cuttings difficult to strike.

Baeckea leptocaulis requires some sun and a moist environment. Propagation is from seeds or cuttings; the cuttings may be slow to strike. Pruning can be used to ensure a compact shape once established.

Conservation status
Baeckea gunniana is a common and widespread species found in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Baeckea leptocaulis is a common and widespread species endemic to Tasmania.

Edible Properties
Due to the lemon tasting aromatic nature of Baeckea gunniana, the leaves can be used to make a refreshing tea, or included in biscuit mixes (eg. shortbread or gingerbread) scones and even roasted meat. The leaves may be used fresh or dried.

Medicinal Properties
It has been suggested that Baeckea gunniana can inhibit an enzyme called DNA polymerase β, an enzyme responsible for the repair of damaged DNA. It is thought that when combined with anticancer agents, this could promote the effectiveness by inhibiting DNA repair while the anticancer agent stops the growth of cancer cells.