New Zealand teatree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Broom Tea-Tree
• Maoritea Tree
• Manuka teatree
• New Zealand teatree
• broom teatree
• manuka myrtle
• Crimson tea bush
• Pink Teatree
• Tea Tree
• Mānuka or Tea tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Melaleuca scoparia
• Philadelphus scoparius
• Leptospermum scoparium roseum
• Melaleuca tenuifolia
• Philadelphus scoparius var. linifolius
• Leptospermum scoparium rubrum-pygmaeum
• Leptospermum scoparium var. myrtifolium
• Leptospermum scoparium var. nichollsii
• Leptospermum scoparium var. parvum
• Leptospermum scoparium var. prostratum
• Leptospermum scoparium var. bullatum
• Leptospermum scoparium var. confertifolium
• Leptospermum scoparium var. eximea
• Leptospermum scoparium var. forsteri
• Leptospermum scoparium var. linearifolium
• Leptospermum scoparium var. linifolium
• Leptospermum scoparium var. sericeum
• Leptospermum nichollsii
• Leptospermum multiflorum
• Leptospermum oxycedrus
• Leptospermum obliquum
• Leptospermum humifusum
• Leptospermum bullatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it is situated in the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Leptospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and island groups. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. It is also found across the Macaronesian islands, specifically in the Azores and Madeira. Moving to the Southern Hemisphere, the species is well-established in Australia, particularly in New South Wales. Finally, its range extends further south to include the island state of Tasmania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leptospermum scoparium is characterized by a broad environmental tolerance, allowing it to thrive in diverse landscapes ranging from specialized coastal environments to high-altitude terrains. In maritime settings, it is frequently found in coastal habitats where it must adapt to salt spray and sandy or rocky substrates. Its vertical distribution is remarkably expansive, with an elevational range reaching a mean of 2600 m AMSL, demonstrating a significant capacity for survival in subalpine or montane conditions. Furthermore, unlike many woody species that rely on symbiotic fungal associations for nutrient uptake, this plant does not exhibit a requirement for mycorrhiza, suggesting alternative strategies for soil nutrient acquisition and root development within its various ecological niches.

Elevational range mean:

2600 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Leptospermum scoparium is characterized by its status as a perennial species, capable of persisting in its environment for a significant duration, with a lifespan reaching up to 100 years. As an evergreen plant, it maintains its foliage throughout the seasons, contributing to its continuous presence in its native habitat. Morphologically, the species exhibits diverse life forms depending on its growth stage and environmental context, classified both as a phanerophyte, characterized by elevated woody stems, and as a nanophanerophyte, representing a smaller woody growth habit.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Lifespan :

100

Morphology

The morphology of Leptospermum scoparium is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical variability, with a minimum height of 2 m, a mean height of approximately 4 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Leptospermum scoparium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, with leaves that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. The width of these leaves is similarly constrained, measuring a minimum of 0.15 cm and reaching a maximum of 0.6 cm, with a mean width of approximately 0.3 cm. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on other physiological mechanisms for nitrogen uptake from the soil.

Leaf length max:

1.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.7 cm

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.15 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leptospermum scoparium is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system, with asexual reproduction being absent. The flowering period typically begins in October and concludes in February, though timing can be variable. Pollination is a biotic process primarily driven by insects. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry, dehiscent fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules contain a high volume of seeds, often exceeding 1,000 seeds per fruit. The seeds are notably small and lightweight, with a mean seed mass of 0.000117 g (ranging from 0 to 0.0005 g), a consistent mean length of 2.5 mm, and a uniform seed volume of 0.25 mm³. Due to their minute size and mass, the seeds utilize an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind for distribution. Furthermore, self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through its reproductive mechanisms.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Oct

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

5e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000117 g

Seed mass min:

0 g

Seed volume max:

0.25 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Leptospermum scoparium has 50 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,7-Dimethoxyflavone, 5-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-6,8-dimethylflavone, 5-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-methylflavone, (-)-Bicyclosesquiphellandrene, (-)-Cadina-3,5-diene.

5,7-Dimethoxyflavone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Pharmazie

5-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-6,8-dimethylflavone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Pharmazie

5-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-methylflavone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Pharmazie

(-)-Bicyclosesquiphellandrene

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Cadina-3,5-diene

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Zonarene

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-trans-Calamenene

1. Dr. Duke

2-METHOXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

3,3'-di-o-methyl ellagic acid

1. Dr. Duke

3,4,5-TRIMETHOXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Leptospermum scoparium has 105 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiGTF

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Leptospermum scoparium has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Scabies, anxiolytic, eggs, inflammation, scabies.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations