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Leptospermum scoparium
  • Tea Tree

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Leptospermum scoparium has 0 edible uses listed
Leptospermum scoparium has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The fresh, pungent leaves are a fragrant and refreshing tea substitute[1][2][3]. Of excellent quality, in taste trials this species has often received higher marks than the traditional China tea obtained from Camellia sinensis[K]. It is important to brew the leaves for considerably longer than normal teas to ensure the flavour is released into the water[K]. A sweet manna is sometimes exuded from the stems as a result of insect damage[2][4]. Another report says that manna is reported to form on the leaves[3].

Sap

Manna

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

This species can be grown as a hedge in the milder areas of Britain[5] and is reasonably tolerant of maritime exposure. Plants should not be trimmed back into old wood, however, because they do not regenerate from such treatment.

A yellow-green dye is obtained from the flowers, branches and leaves[6]. A greenish-black dye is obtained from the flowers[6]. Source of an insecticide[2] (no further details). Wood - red, strong, elastic. Used for inlay work, cabinet making etc[7].

The bark is used for roofing huts[7].

Unknown part

Dye
Insecticide
Roofing
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Leptospermum scoparium.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[8].

Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[8].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Leptospermum scoparium. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeed in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality[5], preferring a light sandy loam and full sun[5]. Succeeds in dry soils. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds. We have found the plants to be fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[K].

The plant only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of Britain. Hardy to about -10°c, succeeding outdoors in most of Southern Britain[9]. A polymorphic species, many forms have been developed for their ornamental value[10]. There are some dwarf varieties that grow very well in pots in cold greenhouses and conservatories[11]. Resents root disturbance. Plants do not regenerate from old wood[5]. The bruised leaves and the flowers are pleasantly aromatic[12][13].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Leptospermum scoparium. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Leptospermum scoparium.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Leptospermum scoparium
Genus
Leptospermum
Family
Myrtaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][2][7]
Botanic
[14][15][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
5 x 3 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Starr_010419-0042_Leptospermum_scoparium.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Starr_010419-0042_Leptospermum_scoparium.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Starr_010419-0042_Leptospermum_scoparium.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Starr_010419-0042_Leptospermum_scoparium.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (1976-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-558229-2 (1991-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton ISBN 0-340-508302 (1990-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  9. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
  10. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  11. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
  12. ? Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
  13. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  14. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11
  15. ? Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. (1961-00-00)

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Facts about "Leptospermum scoparium"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyMyrtaceae +
Belongs to genusLeptospermum +
Functions asHedge +
Has binomial nameLeptospermum scoparium +
Has common nameTea Tree +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partSap + and Unknown part +
Has edible useManna + and Tea +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeInsects +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has hardiness zone8 +
Has imageStarr 010419-0042 Leptospermum scoparium.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +, Insecticide +, Roofing + and Wood +
Has mature height5 +
Has mature width3 +
Has primary imageStarr_010419-0042_Leptospermum_scoparium.jpg +
Has search nameleptospermum scoparium + and tea tree +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameLeptospermum scoparium +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Leptospermum scoparium +, Leptospermum scoparium +, Leptospermum scoparium +, Leptospermum scoparium +, Leptospermum scoparium + and Leptospermum scoparium +