Baeckea frutescens L., Sp. Pl. (1753)

Latin for 'shrub-like'.

Synonyms
Baeckea chinensis Gaertn.
Baeckea cochinchinensis Blume [Illegitimate]
Baeckea cumingiana Schauer
Baeckea ericoides Schltdl.
Baeckea frutescens var. brachyphylla Merr. & L.M.Perry
Baeckea sinensis Gaertn.
Baeckea stenophylla F.Muell.
Baeckea sumatrana Blume
Cedrela rosmarinus Lour.
Drosodendron rosmarinus (Lour.) M.Roem.
Neuhofia rosmarinifolia Stokes

Description
Shrub up to 6 m tall and 11 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves needle-like, opposite, simple, glabrous. Flowers ca. 3 mm diameter, white-pink, placed solitary in leaf axils. Fruits ca. 3 mm diameter, green-red-brown, urns-shaped, berry-like capsules.

Ecology
In exposed places in keranga, swamp, regrowth and sub-montane forests up to 1000 m altitude. Often on alluvial sites, but also on hillsides and ridges. On poor sandy to ultrabasic soils.

Uses
The wood is locally used for fencing. The leaves can be boiled to make a refreshing tea; while dried and mixed with other ingredients in a powder, they can be rubbed on the stomach for painful menstruation or childbirth.

Distribution
From southern China, Indo-China and Thailand to New Guinea and Australia. In Borneo collected in Sarawak, Sabah, Central-, South- and East-Kalimantan.

Local names
Borneo: Berungis, Cucor atap, Rampa-rampa, Rempah-rempah, Tagai, Tuturun atap, Ujung atap.