Practical
Plants

Leptospermum liversidgei

Lemon-Scented Tea Tree

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Leptospermum genus in the family Myrtaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Myrtaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
4 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried leaves are a tea substitute[6]. Lemon-scented[2][4].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antibacterial[3].

Product or use
Antibacterial

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil obtained from the leaves[1] is used as a bactericide[3].

Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
Australia.
Habitat
Swamps by the coast in New South Wales[3][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and give some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors. The seed remains viable for many years. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm with a heel, early August in a frame. Over-winter in the greenhouse for its first year. Good percentage[10]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[10].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeed in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality, preferring a light sandy loam and full sun[7]. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds[7]. Only succeeds outdoors in the mild areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[7]. If plants are killed back in cold winters they sometimes sprout afresh from the old wood[8]. This species does not regenerate from old wood[7]. Resents root disturbance[7]. The leaves have a delightful lemon scent[5][8]. The forms grown in Britain have a very weak scent, is this due to a lack of sun?[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4

    ↩

  3. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  9. Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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