Leptospermum
family Myrtaceae
Common name - tea-tree (early Australian settlers boiled the leaves
as a tea substitute, apparently).
Most of the 86 recognized species originate in Australia, with a few
coming from SE Asia, New Guinea and New Zealand.
Some varieties are frost-hardy, but the majority are suitable for temperate
to sub-tropical climates only.
Leptospermum scoparium
Cultivars include Rouge double nain (main)
Compact shrub up to 2 m high. Leaves may be elliptical, broadly lanceolate
or obovate
and from 8mm to 20mm long. Usually white flowers but sometimes pink
or even dark pink to maroon 1 cm in diameter occur in spring and early
summer.
From east coast Australia and Tasmania, and New Zealand. Frost hardy.
• Leptospermum by Murray
Fagg
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