Myrtaceae FAMILY

Backhousia myrtifolia

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Backhousia myrtifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually growing up to 7 metres tall, though one report says it sometimes reaches a height of 30 metres. Larger trees are somewhat flanged or buttressed at the base[ 440 Title Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network, Publication Author Website http://www.brisrain.webcentral.com.au Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on plants in the Queensland Rainforests. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood. It has become more popular as a food flavouring in Australia as a result of the increased interest in native foods and is traded commercially. The plant is also grown as an ornamental.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeAustralia - New South Wales, Queensland

HabitatGullies and the margins of rainforests[ 265 Title Flora of the Sydney Region Publication Author Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Publisher Reed. Australia. Year 1993 ISBN 0730104001 Description Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description. ]. Usually in warmer rainforest, often close to streams[ 365 Title Flora of New South Wales Publication Author Website http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line resource giving a brief botanical description of all the native plants of New South Wales, their habitat and range, together with diagrams and photographs of the plants. ].