Mt. Stuart Myrtle
Origin of name
Family: MYRTACEAE
- Backhousia in honour of James Backhouse
- tetraptera meaning “four-winged”
Occurrence
Grows locally in vine thickets, & in fire-protected gullies. Known from only 2 sites in Nth Qld and is uncommon.
Natural habitat indicates a preference for good drainage. Appears to tolerate rocky soils, some dryness, and full sun or part-shade.
Appearance
Tree to ~5m, rarely to 12m. Often multi-trunked. Mottled, flaky bark. Prolific clusters of 10 white flowers (~4 weeks after good, wet season rain) lead to 4-winged seed pods that fade from pink to white and dry to brown. Seeds rare.
Attractive tree with good floral display, bright red new growth, and mottled trunk (grey/brown/pink). Flowers attract many insects. Flowers when only a few years old.
