Manuka, Broom tea-tree, Tea-tree
Leptospermum scoparium

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A prickly shrub. It is usually upright and slender. It can grow to 2-4 m high. It spreads 80 cm to 1.2 m wide. The leaves are hard and shiny. They do not have hairs and are sword shaped. They have a sharp point. The flowers are white. They have 5 petals. There is a ring of short stamens at the base of the petals. The fruit is a round capsules. The have 5 lobes on top. They do not have hairs. There are many cultivated varieties.

The leaves were used for tea by some of Captain Cook's sailors. There are about 82 Leptospermum species. Most grow in Australia. The leaves are also used for medicine.

Where it is found

It is native to Australia and New Zealand. It grows near the coast in cool temperate places. It can grow in warm temperate and some subtropical places. It grows in places that are waterlogged for part of the year. On Mt Roland. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia (country/location of origin), Britain, East Africa, Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand (country/location of origin), Pacific, Slovenia, Tasmania (country/location of origin), USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fresh leaves are used for tea.

Edible parts

Manna, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. Plants release their seed after fire.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Leptospermum bullatum Fitzh.; and several others