Green tea-tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green tea-tree |
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| Leptospermum coriaceum flowers and leaves | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Leptospermum
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| Species: |
coriaceum
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
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The Leptospermum coriaceum, also known as the green tea-tree or mallee teatree, is a type of shrub. It is found only in south-eastern Australia. This plant has smooth bark on its younger stems. Its leaves are shaped like an ellipse or a narrow egg. The flowers are white, and it produces woody fruits. You can usually find the green tea-tree growing in sandy areas called mallee.
What Does the Green Tea-Tree Look Like?
The green tea-tree is a shrub that spreads out and can grow up to 2 metres (about 6.5 feet) tall. The larger branches have rough bark that peels off every year. However, the younger stems have smooth bark.
Its leaves are shaped like an egg or a spear, or they can be elliptical. They are usually 8 to 20 millimetres (about 0.3 to 0.8 inches) long. The leaves are 3 to 5 millimetres (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. Each leaf has a short, blunt point at its tip and a small stalk (called a petiole) at its base.
The flowers of the green tea-tree are about 12 to 15 millimetres (about 0.5 to 0.6 inches) across. They grow in pairs on short shoots where the leaves meet the stem. The part of the flower that holds the petals (called the floral cup) is smooth or silky. It is about 1.5 to 2.5 millimetres long. The small, leaf-like parts under the petals (called sepals) are triangular and 1.5 to 2 millimetres long. The white petals are 4 to 7 millimetres long, and the stamens (which produce pollen) are 1 to 2 millimetres long.
The green tea-tree usually flowers from June to October or November. After flowering, it produces a woody fruit. This fruit is a capsule that is 5 to 8 millimetres wide. It falls off the plant once the seeds inside are ready to be released.
How the Green Tea-Tree Got Its Name
The green tea-tree was first officially described in 1856. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Fabricia coriacea. This description was published in a science journal. Later, in 1923, another scientist named Edwin Cheel changed its name to Leptospermum coriaceum.
The second part of its scientific name, coriaceum, comes from a Latin word. It means "leathery," which probably describes the texture of its leaves.
Where Does the Green Tea-Tree Grow?
The green tea-tree grows in areas with mallee trees and heath plants. It prefers deep, sandy soil found on sand dunes. You can find this plant in southern South Australia, north-western Victoria, and as far north as Cobar in inland New South Wales.
