Leptospermum luehmannii facts for kids

Leptospermum luehmannii is a special kind of shrub or small tree. It only grows naturally in Queensland, Australia. This plant has shiny green leaves, pretty white flowers, and fruits that drop off after their seeds are ready.

What it Looks Like: Description

Leptospermum luehmannii is a shrub or a small tree. It usually grows up to 5 meters (about 16 feet) tall. The bark is smooth and reddish-brown. It peels off in long strips.

The leaves are oval-shaped and look shiny when they are grown. They are usually 15 to 40 millimeters (about 0.6 to 1.6 inches) long. They are 6 to 9 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide. Each leaf sits on a very short stem.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are white and about 6 to 12 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) wide. They grow on short stalks. These flowers appear on small shoots near the upper leaves.

The main flowering time is from January to February. After the flowers, the plant grows a fruit called a capsule. This capsule is about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) wide. It falls off the plant soon after the seeds are released.

How it Got its Name: Taxonomy

The plant Leptospermum luehmannii was first officially described in 1900. This was done by a scientist named Frederick Manson Bailey. He wrote about it in his book The Queensland Flora.

The second part of its name, luehmannii, honors Johann George Luehmann. He was another important botanist.

Where it Grows: Distribution and Habitat

This type of tea-tree mostly grows in specific places in Queensland. You can find it on the tops and sides of the Glass House Mountains. It also grows in the Numinbah Valley.

Some people call this plant "ngun ngun may bush" or "hillside wild may bush." It has also been found in New South Wales. This includes areas between Grafton and Glen Innes. However, the plants in New South Wales might be a slightly different type.