Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)

Tea Tree after we first known it as an ornamental plant, we recently learned that it is also bee-keeping. Manuka, as it is called in the language of Māori the Tea Tree, produces as they say, of excellent quality and with strong antimicrobial action honey.

We have not tried it.

Instead, we have tested the Tea Tree – is meant as an ornamental plant. And we were excited.

The editorial team of ‘Kalliergeia’ recommends it unanimously.

The plant-lover let plant Tea Tree without fear.

And if the resault is bitter, then let’s throw it into honey.

And then, let him drink it like tea.

CONTENTS

Tea Tree Origin

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Brief Description

Scientific name

Leptospermum scoparium J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.

Common name

Tea tree, Manuka, Kahikatoa, Manuka myrtle,Australian tea tree, Broom tea, Broom tea tree, New Zealand tea bush, New Zealand tea tree, Candy pink tea tree

General characteristics

Type of foliage: Evergreen

Form: Shrub or small tree, upright and multi-trunked, of medium density and oval symmetrical canopy

Texture: Fine

Height: 1.5-4 m (5-13 ft)

Diameter: 1.5-4 m (5-13 ft)

Growth rate: Fast

Flowering period (Northern Hemisphere): May – August

Fruiting period: All year

Shape and colours

Bark: Flaky brown

Leaves shape: Simple, narrow-lanceolate

Foliage colour: Green

Foliage colour in autumn: Green

Flowers shape: Star-shaped

Flowers colour: White, Pink,

Fruit: Capsule, black

Plantation

Soil type: Draining, sand, loam, clay. acidic to neutral

Exposure: Sun, Half-shade

Soil pH: 5.5-7

Watering: Medium

Hardiness: −4 °C (25 °F – USDA Hardiness zone 9b)

Uses

Specimen, hedges, mixed hedges, mass planting, urban planting, pots and containers

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - General Notes

The name of the genus Leptospermum is a Neo-Latin composite word derived from two ancient Greek words, ‘λεπτόν’, which means ‘thin’ and ‘σπέρμα’ which means ‘seed’– both of them accurately describing the thickness of the plant fruit seeds. The name of the species scoparium consists of the Latin word ‘scopa’, which means ‘thin branch or broom’, and the suffix ‘-arius’, whose neutral type is ‘-arium’ and means ‘belonging to’ or ‘what belongs to’.
Tea Tree is a native, endemic plant of New Zealand and Australia. From there, it has spread to many subtropical climate areas thanks to the exceptional beauty and abundant flowers of many of its varieties.
In its origin countries, where it is better known as Manuka or Kahikatoa, it is found either as a shrub or as a small tree. The abundant, small and light seeds of Tea Tree, which are dispersed with wind, enable the plant to reproduce quite easily and form large populations. Particularly in barren and relatively wet soils, the dominant form of vegetation tends to become or is actually made.
In New Zealand, primarily but also in Australia, it often behaves as a weed, and indeed its control is a real headache for farmers. In Hawaii, where it is widely grown as ornamental, having been fully acclimatized, it shows a tendency of unwanted spread. The same is true of South Africa, where the species is listed as ‘under surveillance’.

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Additional Informations

The Manuka develops many shoots from the base, which are raised and show moderate density branches. To those who are fully wooded, the bark appears flaky, leaving them naked. The leaves are small, narrowly lanceolate to oval, which when crushed diffuses a pleasant aroma. The flowers are hermaphrodite (the Tea Tree belongs to the andromonoecious plants), numerous, asteromorph, white or pink with a red center. Pollination takes place with insects, including honey bees. After the pollination of the flowers, the fruit is formed, which is a 5-celled capsule, black in color.
Manuka is a highly adaptive plant when it is grown in areas with similar soil and climate conditions as its natural spreading zone. In terms of temperatures, young plants can withstand up to -4 °C (25 °F), but when they grow, their strength increases remarkably, reaching almost -10 °C (14 °F). In relation to the soil, it grows in various soil types, but thrives on sandy loam, slightly acidic and dry soils. Despite the high drought resistance of fully installed plants, young plants need regular watering. As for the exposure, it grows mainly in sunny places, well sheltered by dry hot or cold winds, but in the warmer climates it can be successfully planted in semi-shade. Still worth noting is its high resistance to the aggravated atmosphere of the cities, to frost, as well as its good resistance to soil salinity and to salt-spray
From diseases in general, it does not face serious problems, while insects, scalesas well as webbing caterpillar and borers can attack the plant. With the appropriate formulations is usually successful controlled.

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Use and Varieties

Tea Tree, in addition to ornamental, has practical, pharmaceutical and ethnobotany value. Its wood is highly appreciated as a fuel because of the presence of oils and volatile compounds. The produced essential oil has a scope in aromatherapy, dermatopathies and also has antibiotic properties. Honey coming from the flowers of Manuka has a significant antibacterial effect. Finally, for Maori, there was a plant that used for its wood, which was utilized almost in every possible way, and as a herbal remedy in various forms and against various diseases, such as its gum that was given to the adults as cough treatment.
Various plantcultivars have been created, offering a wide range of sizes as well as flower type and color. Some of the most important are:

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Red Damascus’
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Apple Blossom’
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Star Carpet’
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Burgundy Queen’
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Helene Strybing’
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Snow White’
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Red Ensign’
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Coral Candy’

…Thelonious Monk, from the depth of the smoke-filled room, wants to intervene. Let’s listen to him.

The Thelonious Monk Quartet – ‘Monk’s Dream’.

Bibliography

External Links

Bibliography

External Links

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The Thelonious Monk Quartet – ‘Monk’s Dream’

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Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)

Tea Tree Origin

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Brief Description

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - General Notes

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Additional Informations

Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Use and Varieties

The Thelonious Monk Quartet – ‘Monk’s Dream’

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