Leptospermum

Leptospermum, commonly known as Manuka, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to New Zealand and Australia. Renowned for its potent antibacterial properties, its honey and essential oils are widely utilized in natural healing. This resilient plant offers significant therapeutic benefits, supporting skin health and strengthening the immune system effectively.

  • Scientific name: Leptospermum
  • Family: Myrtaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaceae, it is classified under the genus Leptospermum.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Myrtales WCVP
Family Myrtaceae WCVP
Genus Leptospermum WCVP

Common Names

This plant, belonging to the genus Leptospermum, is known by various names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 檉柳梅屬 (zh-Hant) or 松红梅属 (zh-Hans), while in Japanese, it is identified as ギョリュウバイ属 (ja). In Czech, the name used is balmín (cs), and in Russian, it is commonly called Тонкосемянник (ru).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hant 檉柳梅屬 Wikidata
ja ギョリュウバイ属 Wikidata
cs balmín Wikidata
ru Тонкосемянник Wikidata
zh 松红梅属 Wikidata
vi Fabricia Wikidata
mk тенкосеменик Wikidata
he עץ התה Wikidata
fi Ruusumyrtit Wikidata
sk balmín Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and oceanic regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. The species is also found across the Macaronesian islands, specifically in the Azores and Madeira. Moving toward the African continent, it is located in East Tropical Africa. Within this region, its range extends to include both Kenya and Uganda.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Macaronesia Azores WCVP
Macaronesia Madeira WCVP
East Tropical Africa Kenya WCVP
East Tropical Africa Uganda WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP
Malesia Borneo WCVP
Malesia Jawa WCVP
Malesia Lesser Sunda Is. WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Manuka, relies heavily on its leaves for its therapeutic properties. The small, leathery leaves are the primary source of essential oils, such as leptospermone, which are widely utilized in traditional and modern medicine for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities. When processed, these leaves contribute significantly to the aromatic and medicinal potency associated with the species.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Leptospermum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include citral, citronellal, cyanidin, delphinidin, ellagic acid.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
citral 1 ★☆☆☆☆
citronellal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cyanidin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
delphinidin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ellagic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leptosperin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
myricetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Leptospermum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Leptospermum has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include constipation, fever, inflammation, skin.

Total uses
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
constipation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
skin 1 ★☆☆☆☆