Leptospermum scoparium

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Leptospermum scoparium, commonly called m?nuka, manuka, manuka myrtle, New Zealand teatree, broom tea-tree, or just tea tree, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, native to Australia and New Zealand.

Video Leptospermum scoparium

Description

It is a prolific scrub-type tree and is often one of the first species to regenerate on cleared land. It is typically a shrub growing to 2-5 m (7-16 ft) tall, but can grow into a moderately sized tree, up to 15 m (49 ft) or so in height. It is evergreen, with dense branching and small leaves 7-20 mm long and 2-6 mm broad, with a short spine tip. The flowers are white, occasionally pink, 8-15 mm (rarely up to 25 mm) in diameter, with five petals. The wood is tough and hard.

This species is often confused with the related species k?nuka (Kunzea ericoides) - the easiest way to tell the difference between the two species in the field is to feel their foliage - m?nuka leaves are prickly, while k?nuka leaves are soft.

The Latin specific epithet scoparium means "like broom", referring to Northern Hemisphere genera such as Genista and Cytisus which it superficially resembles, but to which it is only distantly related.

Maps Leptospermum scoparium

History and habitat

Evidence suggests that L. scoparium originated in Australia before the onset of the Miocene aridity, and dispersed relatively recently from eastern Australia to New Zealand. It has been postulated that on arrival in New Zealand, L. scoparium became established in limited edaphically suitable areas until the arrival of the Polynesian people, whose fire and forest-clearing brought about the low-nutrient-status soils for which it was preadapted in its homeland. It is now more common in New Zealand than it is in Australia. It is found throughout New Zealand, but is particularly common on the drier east coasts of the North and South Islands, and in Australia in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.

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Ecology

Pests and diseases

The adult m?nuka beetle (Pyronota festiva) and its larvae feed on L. scoparium in New Zealand.

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Names

Tea tree, m?nuka and k?hikatoa are common names for this species. "Jelly bush" is also used in Australia. Tea tree arose because Captain Cook used the leaves to make a 'tea' drink.

M?nuka is a M?ori word from New Zealand.

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Cultivation

Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

Many more cultivars are available in New Zealand but often the plant performs better in cultivation overseas. This is because in its homeland it is subject to attack by scale insects that secrete a honeydew on which grows a sooty mold that eventually debilitates the plant. Because of this, attempts have been made, with limited commercial success, to cross the showy New Zealand cultivars with mold-resistant Australian Leptospermum species.

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Uses

The wood was often used for tool handles. M?nuka sawdust imparts a delicious flavour when used for smoking meats and fish. It is cultivated in New Zealand for m?nuka honey, produced when honeybees gather the nectar from its flowers, and for the pharmaceutical industry. It is also used for carving. An essential oil, for which many medicinal claims are made, is produced by steam distillation of its leaves. Manuka, as it is called by most New Zealanders, was used in pre-European times by Maori, and still is. A decoction of the leaves was drunk for urinary complaints and as a febrifuge (an agent for reducing fever). The steam from leaves boiled in water was inhaled for head colds. A decoction was prepared from the leaves and bark and the warm liquid was rubbed on stiff muscles and aching joints. The emollient white gum, called pai Manuka, was given to nursing babies and also used to treat scalds and burns. Chewing the bark is said to have a relaxing effect and it enhances sleep.

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Parakeets and parasites

Kakariki parakeets (Cyanoramphus) use the leaves and bark of m?nuka and k?nuka to rid themselves of parasites. Apart from ingesting the material, they also chew it, mix it with preen gland oil and apply it to their feathers.

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See also

• Manuka, Australian Capital Territory, which, although it is pronounced differently, was indirectly named after the New Zealand tree.
• Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) are also grown commercially in New Zealand.

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References

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External links

• New Zealand Plant Conservation Network - Leptospermum scoparium var. scoparium

Source of article : Wikipedia