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Coastal Tea Tree

Its genus name Leptospermum is from Greek leptos (thin) and sperma (seed), referring to its small seeds; and its species name laevigatum is from Latin laevigatus (smooth), probably referring to the appearance of the plant.

Also known as Australian Myrtle and Victorian Tea Tree.

A tall, bushy shrub or small tree, with bark that sheds in strips. Grows up to 6 m tall.

Leaves

Grey-green and obovate (egg-shaped and flat, with the narrow end attached to the stalk). They are 1.5 – 3 cm long and 5 – 8 mm wide.

Flowers

White and usually in groups of two. The flower heads are usually 1.5 – 2 cm in diameter, and made up of five petals that are 5 – 8 mm long, with many stamens protruding from the centre that are 2 mm long.

Fruits/Seeds

Fruit in the form of woody capsules which are flat-topped and 15 – 20 mm in diameter. They have fleshy outer surfaces and contain many seeds which are winged to facilitate wind dispersion.

Field Guide

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  • Species Category: Plants
  • Species origin: Native
  • Conservation status: Common
  • Did You Know?
    • Commonly known as the tea tree as early European settlers used the leaves as a tea substitute

  • What to Observe

    • First fully open single flower

    • Full flowering (record all days)

    • End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)

    • Open seed pods/fruits (record all days)

  • When and Where

    When To Look

    • From late winter through spring
    • Flowers appear from August to October
    • Fruits appear after flowers

    Where To Look

    • In coastal heath and occasionally dry forest, on sand, dunes and coastal cliffs (particularly around Sydney)
    • In coastal areas from Nambucca Heads on NSW north coast, south through Victoria and into northern Tasmania
    • It has become naturalised and is an environmental weed in south-east Queensland, north-east NSW, south-east South Australia, and southern Western Australia, where it has been used for dune stabilisation or planted after sand mining

  • What Else?

    Similar Species

    Another species of Leptospermum won’t have the same flower and fruit characters.
  • Trails: Australian National Botanic Gardens ACT, Bellarine Peninsula - Barwon Coast & Ocean Grove Nature Reserve VIC, Cape Conran VIC, Killalea State Park NSW, Kings Park & Botanic Garden WA, Lake Seppings Albany WA, Monash University VIC, Newhaven College VIC, North Head NSW, Piney Lakes Trail WA, Randwick Coastal Walkway NSW, Randwick Environmental Park NSW, Ricketts Point VIC, Waylen Bay Scout Group WA, Wilsons Promontory NP Tidal River VIC
  • Species Region: Australia