Английская Википедия:Baeckea gunniana

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Baeckea gunniana, commonly known as alpine baeckea,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to alpine and sub-alpine areas of south-eastern Australia. It is a densely-branched shrub with egg-shaped to oblong leaves and small white flowers with four to six stamens.

Description

Baeckea gunniana is a smooth, compact shrub growing up to Шаблон:Cvt high, although it can reach up to Шаблон:Cvt at lower altitudes. It is sometimes prostrate, spreading over rocks and boulders. The branchlets have papery or fibrous brown bark. The leaves are crowded, elliptical to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, Шаблон:Cvt long, Шаблон:Cvt wide on a petiole about Шаблон:Cvt long and have smooth edges. The flowers up to Шаблон:Cvt in diameter and are borne singly in upper leaf axils, each flower on a pedicel Шаблон:Cvt long. The sepals are triangular to oblong, Шаблон:Cvt long and the petals are white, more or less round and Шаблон:Cvt long. There are four to six stamens all about the same length. The ovary has a single locule, the style is needle-shaped and in a small dent in the top of the ovary. (The unilocular ovary is unique in the genus.) The fruit is a cup-like capsule, the seeds small and angular, remaining inconspicuous on the ground upon release.[1][2][3][4][5]

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Baeckea gunniana was first formally described in 1843 by the German botanist Johannes Conrad Schauer in Walpers' book Repertorium Botanices Systematicae.[6][7] The specific epithet (gunniana) honours Ronald Campbell Gunn.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Alpine baeckea is restricted to alpine or subalpine regions, from Mount Ginini in the Australian Capital Territory and Mount Kosciuszko in south-eastern New South Wales to eastern Victoria and south-western Tasmania. Baeckea gunniana is most prevalent at high altitudes between Шаблон:Cvt , however, it has been observed to grow above Шаблон:Cvt near Mount Kosciuszko, and as low as Шаблон:Cvt in western Tasmania.[3][4]

Baeckea gunniana is commonly found growing with species such as Callistemon pityoides, Epacris paludosa, and Empodisma minus, in heathlands or boggy sedgeland. It is also common near creeks, and sometimes in shaded areas under Eucalyptus species.[3][4]

Ecology

This species forms an integral part of the broad-toothed mouse habitat in New South Wales, providing protection from predators and large grazers.[8]

Uses

Use in horticulture

The seed coat/covering or testa of some Baeckea species has been recorded to form a physical barrier inhibiting seed germination.[3] This may be reverted by removing or nicking the testa using a needle or scalpel, improving the rate of germination.[3] B. gunniana can also be vegetatively propagated from cuttings of semi-hardened new growth.

Other uses

Baeckea leaves are edible and often used as a tea substitute because of their aromatic citrus-like flavour.[2][8] Extracts from B. gunniana have been found to inhibit the activity of DNA Polymerase enzyme.[9]

References

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Шаблон:Taxonbar