| Presidio Park Plant Survey |
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Encyclopedia | Parish Rye - 2018 Survey | A Historical Reference | Historic Surveys |
Leptospermum laevigatum AUSTRALIAN TEA TREE
The coastal tea tree or Australian tea tree is endemic to the coastal regions of eastern Australia. It has been introduced to Western Australia where it has become a weed. In cultivation it has become an attractive species with twisted and interesting trunk formations. The Leptospermum laevigatum can live up to 150 years producing a unique, very small five petaled flower that protrudes from a teacup-like pod. The Leptospermum genus contains approximately 85 species. Urban legend tells us that the famed explorer of eastern Australia and Hawaii, Captain Cook (1728-1779), brewed these leaves to form a tea that helped his crew stave off scurvy. |
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