Back
Baeckea frutescens L.
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Common Name: | False Ru, Cucur Atap, Chuchur Atap, Ujan Atap, Timor Tasek, China Maki, Rempah Gunong, Da Eng, 岗松 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, southern China, Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree, able to grow up to about 6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green to greyish-green leaves, small and needle-like, simple and opposite arrangement, surface glabrous, measuring about 5 - 10 mm long, petiole measuring about 0.5 mm long. |
| Flowers | Pinkish-white small flowers, solitary in leaf axils, measuring about 3 mm wide, bracts caducous, 5 sepals and rounded, stamens about 7 - 13 present, ovary inferior. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a greenish-brown berry-like capsule, measuring about 1.5 - 2 mm wide. |
| Habitat | Usually found in slopes, open grasslands and low hills. |
| Etymology | Genus Baeckea is named after Abraham Baeck, a physician and friend of Linnaeus. Species frutescens means becoming shrubby. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Medicinal: The entire plant(except the roots), is used as an antibacterial, an antidysentery, an antipyretic and a diuretic. The Chinese use the leaves as a remedy for sunstroke and fever. The leaves are used as an ingredient of native medicine given to mothers after childbirth in Malaysia and Indonesia. The flowers of this plant are used to treat dyspepsia and menstrual problems. The essential oil from this plant is used in the treatment of rheumatism. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Acicular / Needle) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Tree - Open Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Bark Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Bark Texture | Fissured |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Individual Flower Shape | Campaulate / Bell-shaped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1448 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2741 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |