Cape Barren Tea
Correa alba
Family: Rutaceae
What it is like
Correa alba is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 1.5
Where it is found
Sandy and rocky habitats by the coast.
Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The leaves can be used as a tea substitute. They are pleasantly aromatic with a sweetish flavour.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a freely draining lime-free peaty soil or a sandy soil rich in organic matter and a sunny position. Another report says that plants do best in a well-drained, rather poor soil with some limestone. Plants are very resistant to salt spray. This species is hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. Plants can tolerate at least short-lived frosts down to about -5°c in Britain and they can be grown on a sunny wall in the milder parts of the country. In S. Cornwall they succeed as free-growing shrubs.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Fresh seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Stored seed can be difficult to germinate, leaching with water can help, or perhaps a short burst of fire will initiate germination. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a shaded frame. Cuttings are generally quite easy to root.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist