CAT-00011
Cinnamon myrtle
Backhousia myrtifolia
Catalog fields
- Genus
- Backhousia
- Photo
- Not recorded
- Edible
- Yes
- layout
- single
- Habitat
- Not recorded
- Published
- Yes
- Food group
- Herb / spice
- Latin name
- Backhousia myrtifolia
- Fruit photo
- Not recorded
- Plant title
- Cinnamon myrtle
- Source URLs
- https://www.australianplantsonline.com.au/backhousia-myrtifolia-grey-myrtle.html | https://resources.austplants.com.au/plant/backhousia-myrtifolia/ Open source ↗ Open source 2 ↗
- Catalogue ID
- CAT-00011
- Mature width
- 2-4 m supplier estimate; potentially larger
- Native range
- Eastern Australia, Bega NSW to near Bundaberg/Gladstone QLD; creeklines and rainforest.
- Plant family
- Myrtaceae
- Supplier SKU
- BACMYR
- Listing group
- Original garden variety
- Mature height
- 3-7 m supplier estimate; potentially 10 m+
- Native states
- NSW, QLD
- Original list
- Yes
- Research date
- 10/10/2026
- Research notes
- APS gives around 10 m in gardens and to 30 m wild; supplier size is not a maximum. Seasons vary with climate, location, cultivar and plant maturity.
- Evidence status
- Nursery food-use source; preparation detail review pending
- Fruiting season
- After flowering; regional timing not yet confirmed
- Background photo
- Not recorded
- Edible component
- Leaves for flavouring
- Flowering season
- Midsummer
- Brief description
- Evergreen tree; cinnamon-scented leaves; cream flower clusters.
- Drought tolerance
- Unquantified; hardy; water in extended drought (inference).
- Preparation notes
- Culinary leaf/rhizome flavouring; use a species-specific recipe.
- Flower description
- Clusters of tiny cream-white flowers.
- General cultivation
- General guidance (qualitative): Sun-part shade; enriched well-drained soil; mulch; prune after flowering.
- Botanical description
- Not recorded
- Other botanical names
- Not recorded
- Attracts birds and bugs
- Birdlife and pollinators according to supplier.
- Flora of Australia profile
- Not recorded
- Fruit type and description
- Dry capsule-like schizocarp about 6 mm; not fleshy berries.
- Flora of Australia citation
- Not recorded
- Flora of Australia retrieved
- Not recorded