Leptospermum

Taxobox
name = "Leptospermum"

---

image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Leptospermum scoparium"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Myrtaceae
genus = "Leptospermum"
genus_authority = J.R.Forster & G.Forster
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = About 80-86, including: "Leptospermum arachnoides" "Leptospermum epacridoideum" "Leptospermum grandiflorum" "Leptospermum javanicum" "Leptospermum juniperinum" "Leptospermum laevigatum" "Leptospermum lanigerum" "Leptospermum liversidgei" "Leptospermum minutifolium" "Leptospermum myrtifolium" "Leptospermum nitidum" "Leptospermum obovatum" "Leptospermum parviflorum" "Leptospermum petersonii" "Leptospermum polygalifolium" "Leptospermum recurvum" "Leptospermum roei" "Leptospermum rotundifolium" "Leptospermum rupestre" "Leptospermum scoparium" - Manuka "Leptospermum sphaerocarpum" "Leptospermum spinescens" "Leptospermum squarrosum" "Leptospermum trinervium"

"Leptospermum" is a genus of about 80-86 species of plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. Most species are endemic to Australia, with the greatest diversity in the south of the continent; but one species extends to New Zealand, another to Malaysia, and "L. recurvum" is endemic to Malaysia.

They are shrubs or occasionally small trees, reaching 1-8 m tall, rarely up to 20 m, with dense branching. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, sharp-tipped, and small, in most species not over 1 cm long. The flowers are up to 3 cm diameter, with five white, pink or red petals.

Uses

The common name of 'tea tree' used for some species of "Leptospermum" derives from the practice of early Australian settlers of soaking the leaves of several species in boiling water to make a herbal tea rich in ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). It is said that Captain Cook brewed tea of Leptospermum leaves to prevent scurvy amongst his crews.

The nectar from the flowers is harvested by bees; this is used to make Leptospermum honey. Manuka honey has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.

In Australia, "Leptospermum" species are sometimes used as food plants by the larvae of hepialid moths of the genus "Aenetus", including "A. lewinii" and "A. ligniveren". These burrow horizontally into the trunk then vertically down.

Most "Leptospermum" species make desirable garden plants. The hardiest species ("L. lanigerum, L. liversidgei, L. polygalifolium, L. rupestre, L. scoparium") are hardy to about −8°C to −10°C; others are sensitive to frost. They tolerate most soils and exposures with good drainage and full sun. Established plants are drought tolerant. They are often found as hedge plants on the west coast of the United States, and some species are popular for cultivation as bonsai. Many cultivars exist.

References

[http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=gn&name=Leptospermum PlantNet reference]