Manuka

Leptospermum scoparium Myrtaceae

Other names

Tea Tree

Growth habit

Shrub

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Nsw, Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand

Biocultural value

From Australia, the leaves of this shrub make a zesty lemon-flavored tea. Pungent fresh leaves are brewed into an aromatic tea.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Richters

Description

Shrub usually c2m but occasionally reaching 4m+. Bark usually close and firm, rarely layered. Younger stems with a long fine silky pubescence. Leaves mostly widely divergent, spreading or even deflexed, variable in size and shape, c7-20 x 2-6mm, narrowly to broadly elliptic, or broadly lanceolate or oblanceolate, often silvery pubescent on new shoots, thick. Flowers white or, rarely, pink or red, usually 8-12mm diameter, occasionally larger, singly on very short leafless or few-leaved branches in adjacent axils and on adjacent branches; bracts scarious and red-brown; sepals decidious, c2mm; petals 4-7mm; stamens c2.5-3.5mm.

USDA Hardiness Zone

8

Special characteristics

food