Practical
Plants

Leptospermum polygalifolium

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Edible uses

The leaves are a tea substitute[9][10][5].

Product or use
Tea

Material uses

Wood - tough, close grained. Used for poles, stakes, fuel etc[3].

Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Australia - Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat
Montane areas, especially on fairly poor soils[3][4]. Heaths and dry sclerophyll forests, usually on sandstones and deep sandy soils[8].
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

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[11]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[11].

Cultivation

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]. Grows well in coastal areas so long as it is not too exposed[6]. Resents root disturbance[7]. Plants do not regenerate from old wood[7]. Closely related to L. lanigerum[2]. A good bee plant[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

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

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  3. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩1↩2

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

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

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  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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

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  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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

    ↩1↩2

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