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Tea Tree

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Leptospermum polygalifolium

Plant Number: 10

Common Name: Tea-tree, wild may, lemon-scented tea tree

Scientific Name: Leptospermum polygalifolium

Derivation of name

Leptospermum from Greek leptos, slender, and sperma, seed, referring to narrow seeds of some species

polygalifolium from latin folius; a leaf 

Description

  • Shrub to 6 metres
  • Narrow leaves lemon-scented when crushed
  • Masses of 10 mm white coloured flowers in Spring
  • Woody seed capsules to 7 mm

Human uses

Leaves used as a substitute for tea (European settlers)

Acknowledgment: Mangroves to Mountains

Photo credit: Janis Cossill

Last reviewed 17 May 2021
Last updated 17 May 2021