''Leptospermum petersonii'', commonly known as lemon-scented teatree,
is a species of shrub or small tree that is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to eastern Australia. It has thin, fibrous or flaky bark, often strongly-scented elliptic to lance-shaped leaves, white flowers and fruit that are retained for several years. It is commonly grown as an ornamental and is regarded as a minor environmental weed in some areas.
Description
''Leptospermum petersonii'' is a shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of about or more. It has thin, rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the stems, and
glabrous
Glabrousness (from the Latin '' glaber'' meaning "bald", "hairless", "shaved", "smooth") is the technical term for a lack of hair, down, setae, trichomes or other such covering. A glabrous surface may be a natural characteristic of all or part of ...
branchlets that have a flange under the leaf bases. New growth is often tinged with red or purple. The leaves are elliptical to narrow lance-shaped, mostly long and wide, often strongly-scented and lack a
petiole. The flowers are white, about in diameter and usually arranged singly on short side shoots. The flower buds have thin, papery, reddish brown
bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...
s and
bracteoles
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or o ...
at the base but that usually fall as the bud develops. The
floral cup
In angiosperms, a hypanthium or floral cup is a structure where basal portions of the calyx, the corolla, and the stamens form a cup-shaped tube. It is sometimes called a floral tube, a term that is also used for corolla tube and calyx tube. It ...
is mostly
glabrous
Glabrousness (from the Latin '' glaber'' meaning "bald", "hairless", "shaved", "smooth") is the technical term for a lack of hair, down, setae, trichomes or other such covering. A glabrous surface may be a natural characteristic of all or part of ...
, dark-coloured, long and the sepals are hemispherical, long. The
petal
Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...
s are long and the
stamen
The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10
Morphology and terminology
A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...
s long. Flowering mainly occurs from December to January and the fruit is a
capsule about wide. The capsules remain on the younger stems but are lost as the plant ages.
Taxonomy and naming
''Leptospermum petersonii'' was first formally described in 1905 by
Frederick Manson Bailey
Frederick Manson Bailey (8 March 1827 – 25 June 1915) was a botanist active in Australia, who made valuable contributions to the characterisation of the flora of Queensland. He was known by his middle name, Manson.
Early life
Bailey was bo ...
in the ''
Queensland Agricultural Journal
The ''Queensland Agricultural Journal'' was a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (formerly the Department of Agriculture and Stock). It was established in 1897, with William Alexander ...
'' from a specimen collected by W.J. Peterson on
Wilsons Peak
Wilsons Peak ( Aboriginal: ''Jirramen'') is a mountain on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Much of which is covered in rainforest. It marks the intersection of the Great Dividing Range with the McPherson Range in the ...
in January 1905.
Distribution and habitat
Lemon-scented teatree grows in sclerophyll forest or rainforest near creeks or on rocky escarpments south from
Mount Timbeerwah in south-east Queensland to near
Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is a coastal town in the local government area of Port Macquarie-Hastings. It is located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, about north of Sydney, and south of Brisbane. The town is located on the Tasman Sea co ...
in New South Wales.
Ecology
This teatree is commonly grown in gardens from where it sometimes spreads. It has become established in some places beyond its natural range, including in native vegetation near Sydney and Melbourne and in Hawaii.
Uses
Essential oils
The essential oil from ''L. petersonii ''inhibits the
pathological
Pathology is the study of the causal, causes and effects of disease or injury. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when us ...
fungi ''
Candida albicans
''Candida albicans'' is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is a common member of the human gut flora. It can also survive outside the human body. It is detected in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth in 40–60% of healthy adults. It is us ...
'' and ''
Aspergillus fumigatus
''Aspergillus fumigatus'' is a species of fungus in the genus ''Aspergillus'', and is one of the most common ''Aspergillus'' species to cause disease in individuals with an immunodeficiency.
''Aspergillus fumigatus'', a saprotroph widespread in ...
''.
Use in horticulture
Lemon-scented teatree is well known as a garden plant, popular for its scent and attractiveness. It is fast growing and can be kept to shrub height by pruning. The ability to be pruned regularly also makes it well-suited for hedges, windbreaks and harvesting for distilled essential oils.
[Cribb, A.B. & J.W., ''Useful Wild Plants in Australia'', Collins 1982, p29 ]
References
* Harden, G.J., ''Flora of New South Wales, Volume 2'', .
{{Taxonbar, from=Q206482
peteronii
Myrtales of Australia
Flora of New South Wales
Flora of Queensland
Plants described in 1905
Taxa named by Frederick Manson Bailey