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Melaleuca hypericifolia
  • Tea Tree

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

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
  • light shade
    Light 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
  • 9
    Zone 9
    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
Melaleuca hypericifolia has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Melaleuca hypericifolia.

Material uses

Plants can be used for hedging in climates suitable for their growth[1].
There are no material uses listed for Melaleuca hypericifolia.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An essential oil obtained from the fresh leaves and twigs is anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and highly stimulant[2]. It is used internally as a stimulating expectorant in laryngitis and bronchitis, as an antiseptic in cystitis and as an anthelmintic for round worms[2]. It is used externally to treat various skin infections[2]. It relieves headaches[3].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Expectorant
Stimulant

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn onto a pot of permanently moist soil in a warm greenhouse. Emmerse in 5cm of water and do not water from overhead. Grow on until the seedlings are 0.5cm tall then remove from the water and pot up a week later. Seedlings are liable to damp off when grown this way, sowing the seed thinly, good ventilation and hygiene are essential for success[4]. Grow the plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and then plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe lateral shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[4].

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



Cultivation

Requires a fertile, well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil in full sun[5]. Prefers a soil that does not contain much nitrogen[6]. Succeeds in heavy shade and moist soils in Australian gardens but does not withstand heavy frosts[1]. Tolerates salt spray[1].

A very ornamental plant[7], but it can be difficult to establish[8] and is unlikely to be hardy in many areas of the country. Plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[9]. Seed takes about 12 months to develop on the plant, the woody seed capsules persist for 3 or more years[4]. Any pruning is best done after the plants have flowered with the intention of maintaining a compact habit[4]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Melaleuca hypericifolia. 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 Melaleuca hypericifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Melaleuca hypericifolia
Genus
Melaleuca
Family
Myrtaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[2][3]
Material uses & Functions
[1]
Botanic
[4]
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
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
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
?
Mature Size
3 x 3 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 (1988-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants. ()
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  5. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  6. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  7. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  8. ? Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. ISBN 0-85179-627-3 (1974-00-00)
  9. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)


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Facts about "Melaleuca hypericifolia"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyMyrtaceae +
Belongs to genusMelaleuca +
Functions asHedge +
Has common nameTea Tree +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeInsects +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone9 +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height3 +
Has mature width3 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antiseptic +, Antispasmodic +, Diaphoretic +, Expectorant + and Stimulant +
Has search namemelaleuca hypericifolia + and x +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameMelaleuca hypericifolia +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +