Green Tea Tree
Leptospermum coriaceum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium sized bushy shrub. It grows 1.5-3 m high. It spreads 1.5-2 m wide. Young growth has silky hairs. The bark is hard. The leaves are 1-3 cm long by 0.3-0.5 cm wide. They have short leaf stalks. The leaves are grey-green. The flowers are 1.5 cm across. The flowers are large and white. There are usually 2 flowers together near the ends of branches. The fruit is a wrinkled capsule. It is 0.5-0.8 cm across. There are 4-7 cells.

There are about 82 Leptospermum species. Most grow in Australia.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate semi-arid regions. It grows well with high temperatures and low rainfall. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It can stand heavy frosts. Leptospermum coriaceum "Green Tea Tree" in the Inland Botanical Gardens Mildura.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The blossums are sucked for nectar. It can be added to water to make a drink.

Edible parts

Flowers - nectar

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Leptospermum laevigatum (Gaernt.) F.Muell. var. minus F.Muell.;