South West Slopes Revegetation Guide
Leptospermum polygalifolium
Lemon-scented Tea-tree
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Species Information
| Synonyms |
L. flavescens |
| Common Names |
Lemon-scented Tea-tree, Tantoon, Tantoon Teatree. |
| Family |
Myrtaceae - Myrtle family. |
| Name Origin |
Leptospermum - from Greek leptos, slender, and sperma, seed, referring to narrow seeds of some species. polygalifolium - from Latin meaning leaves similar to those in genus Polygale. |
Specimen Data - CSU 2736
| Location |
Mundaroo District, p.106 South West Slopes Revegetation |
| Notes |
Identified by the National Herbarium Sydney. |
| Collector |
Stelling, F. |
Date |
01/09/1997 |
| Determined By |
Unknown |
Date |
01/12/1997 |
South West Slopes Revegetation Guide Information
| Regional: |
Noted in Munderoo district. Possibly also in surrounding areas. |
| Australia: |
Qld, NSW. |
| Habitat: |
Sandy soil or on sandstone or basalt soils, and along rocky watercourses. |
| Habit: |
Shrub or small tree 1-7 m high with firm, but soft smooth bark. Narrow leaves 5-20 mm long. |
| Similar Species: |
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| Site Preference: |
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| Characteristics: |
Fast-growing. Lifespan up to several decades. |
| Flowering: |
Aug-Jan. Often profuse and honey-scented. |
| Seed Collection: |
|
| Propagation: |
From seed or cuttings. |
| Regeneration: |
|
| Timber: |
Close-grained, hard, tough and light-coloured. |
| Shade and Shelter: |
Good low-level cover in windbreaks. |
| Land Protection: |
Excellent for stabilising creeks and riverbanks due to soil-binding fibrous roots. It also protects banks as it is flexible enough to lie down in floods due to the weight of fast-flowing water. |
| Wildlife: |
Good streamside habitat. |
| Ornamental: |
Attractive garden specimen. Prune to encourage bushiness. |
| Other: |
Lemon-scented leaves occasionally used as tea substitute in colonial times. |
Note: The following information presented is only a guide, as plant characteristics vary depending on provenance (the plant's locality).
| Site/Preferred Habitat : |
rocky watercourses |
| Rainfall(mm) : |
900 |
| Growth Rate : |
fast |
| Tolerates : |
frost |
| Resents : |
|
| Uses & Comments : |
windbreak; creekbank erosion control; ornamental |
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