New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)

New Zealand Tea Tree or Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand and southeast Australia. It is a prolific scrub-type tree and is often one of the first species to regenerate on cleared land. It is typically a shrub growing to 2-5 m tall, but can grow into a moderately sized tree, up to 15 m or so in height. It is evergreen, with dense branching and small leaves 7-20 mm long and 2-6 mm broad, with a short spine tip. The flowers are white, occasionally pink, 8-15 mm (rarely up to 25 mm) diameter, with five petals. This species is often confused with the closely related species Kānuka - the easiest way to tell the difference between the two species in the field is to feel their foliage - Manuka leaves are prickly while Kanuka leaves are soft.

The wood is tough and hard, and was often used for tool handles. Manuka sawdust imparts a delicious flavour when used in smoking meats and fish. Manuka honey, produced when honeybees gather the nectar from its flowers, is distinctively flavoured, darker and richer in taste than clover honey, has high antibacterial potency and is widely available in New Zealand. Similar properties led the Māori to use parts of the plant as natural medicine.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Myrtales
Family : Myrtaceae
Genus : Leptospermum
Species : Leptospermum scoparium

Pronunciation/Meaning:

• Leptospermum (lep-toh-SPER-mum) - From the Greek leptos (slender) and sperma (seed).
• scoparium (sko-PAIR-ee-um) - Like a broom.

Common Names:

• New Zealand Tea Tree, New Zealand Tea Bush, Manuka, Leptospermum

Links:

• Plants for a future - New Zealand Tea Tree