Baeckea virgata = Sannantha spp.

(Baeckea)

Description

This large variable species has now been broken into 8 species all part of the B. virgata complex. Studies in 2007 placed most of this complex within the genus Sannantha. B.(S.) virgata s.str. is now considered to be endemic to New Caledonia. The plants most commonly sold as Baeckea virgata were transferred to the genus Babingtonia but they have now been assigned to the genus Sannantha. Sannantha bidwillii can be distinguished from Sannantha angusta by the leaves being 4.5-6.5 mm long and more than 1.5 mm wide, versus 5.5-10 mm long and 0.5-1 mm wide. The latter species now includes Baeckea sp. ‘Clarence River’. Flowers are borne in small axillary sprays of 3 up to 7 flowers, individual flowers are about 6 mm diameter, petals white; capsule to 4 mm diam with a flat top.