Kingdom Plantae Family Rutaceae Scientific name Correa backhouseana | Order Sapindales Genus Correa Rank Species | |
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Similar Correa, Correa alba, Correa 'Dusky Bells', Correa pulchella, Correa lawrenceana | ||
Correa backhouseana is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae. It is a coastal shrub, endemic to southern Australia. It grows up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) in height. The ovate leaves are up to 3 cm long and 2 cm wide and are glossy dark green on top and pale grey underneath. The drooping, tubular flowers are pale yellow-green to white in colour. Tasmanian-fuchsia is a common name for this plant.
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Taxonomy
The species was first formally described in 1834 by botanist William Jackson Hooker in The Journal of Botany. The type specimen was collected by English botanist and missionary James Backhouse at Cape Grim in Tasmania in 1833.
Three varieties are currently recognised:
Distribution
The species occurs in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria (near Cape Otway) and the west and south coasts of Tasmania. On the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment's Advisory List of Rare Or Threatened Plants In Victoria, Correa backhouseana var. backhouseana is listed as "vulnerable".
Cultivation
Correa backhouseana is a hardy plant that is useful as a screening plant or along fencelines. It is also used as a container plant and its flowers and foliage can be used in floral arrangements. It prefers a position with some shade and will tolerate salt-laden winds and frost.
The cultivar Correa backhouseana var. coriacea 'Eucla Gold' has smaller, narrower, and more brightly coloured flowers than usual. It was selected from a wild population near Eucla, Western Australia and brought into cultivation in Victoria in 1988.
Correa backhouseana has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.