Prickly tea-tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prickly tea-tree |
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| Leptospermum continentale on Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory) in the A.C.T. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Leptospermum
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| Species: |
continentale
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
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The Leptospermum continentale, commonly known as prickly tea-tree, is a special type of shrub that grows only in south-eastern Australia. It's called "prickly" because its leaves have sharp points. This plant has pretty white flowers and woody fruits that stay on the plant even after they are ripe.
Contents
What Does the Prickly Tea-Tree Look Like?
The Prickly tea-tree is a thin, spreading bush that usually grows about 1 to 2 meters tall. It has smooth bark that peels off in long strips.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are shaped like narrow eggs, about 5 to 13 millimeters long and 1 to 3.5 millimeters wide. They have a sharp point at the end. The flowers grow one by one where the leaves join the stem. They are about 8 to 12 millimeters wide. The petals are usually white, but sometimes they can be pink.
When Does it Flower?
This tea-tree blooms between September and February. After the flowers, it produces a round, woody fruit that is about 5 to 8 millimeters wide. These fruits stay on the plant even when they are fully grown.
How Did it Get Its Name?
The Prickly tea-tree, Leptospermum continentale, was first officially described in 1989 by a botanist named Joy Thompson. She found the plant in Kanangra-Boyd National Park in 1982.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its scientific name, continentale, means "of the continent." This name was chosen because this plant grows on the Australian mainland. It helps tell it apart from a similar plant, Leptospermum scoparium, which grows in Tasmania, some islands in Bass Strait, and New Zealand.
Where Does the Prickly Tea-Tree Grow?
Prickly tea-tree can be found from Mudgee in central eastern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, all the way down to the southern half of Victoria and south-eastern South Australia.
Its Favorite Places
It grows in many different places, including heathlands and woodlands. It likes sandy soil that drains well, but you can also find it in swampy areas.
How People Use This Plant
This tea-tree is a tough shrub that can be grown in gardens. You can start new plants from cuttings or from seeds. It can handle most types of soil and different weather conditions, even places where the soil doesn't drain very well.
Related Plants
- Leptospermum juniperinum, also known as the prickly tea tree, is another type of shrub that grows only in eastern Australia.
