Backhousia myrtifolia (Grey Myrtle)
This is a common rainforest tree along the Illawarra coastline and escarpment, but it also grows from southern New South Wales to Fraser Island. It grows into a large tree, as high as 20 metres in rainforest areas, and there are smaller examples...
This is a common rainforest tree along the Illawarra coastline and escarpment, but it also grows from southern New South Wales to Fraser Island. It grows into a large tree, as high as 20 metres in rainforest areas, and there are smaller examples along Stanwell and Hargrave Creeks. There is one example of it regenerating naturally in the Stanwell Avenue Reserve in the circle opposite No. 33 Stanwell Avenue.
Grey myrtle leaf looks like Lilly pilly, but the main difference is that if the leaf is crushed, it has a strong smell of cinnamon or bubble gum. Its wood was highly prized in the past for hammer and axe handles. About 10 have also been planted in the Stanwell Avenue Reserve. It flowers from November to December. The white and sometimes greenish flowers are about 12mm across and 10mm long.
Banksia Bush Care News
We are working on the eastern and westernmost edges of the Stanwell Avenue Reserve. At No. 33, Stanwell Avenue, fronting onto the beach, Bill Harris and his team have been planting lomandra, dianella, saltbush, snake vine (Hibbertia scandens) and other ground covers over the areas where lantana, senna, and Cape honeysuckle had been removed.
Our plans for clearing the western edge extending the deer fence into the cleared area have been put back by the heavy rains. However, when the weather clears, we will be planting numerous rainforest species, which are currently in pots.
