MYRTACEAE

Mountain Tea Tree

 

1.5m - 5.0m (150-500cm) 

Solitary, up to 3cm diameter, white petals, red sepals. Large flowers to 18mmwide. 

Woody capsule 

Shrub, much-branched and spreading 

Break O'Day; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands 

Coastal Vegetation; Riparian 

Occasional in the east of the State. locally plentiful on granite rocks at an altitude of c.300m on the Freycinet Peninsula.Common by cool mountain watercourses on rocky terrain. 

Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy 

Hardy 

Loam; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained 

Provides useful low-level shelter in mixed species windbreaks (up to 4m). Useful in gully plantings for soil erosion control, as the roots help stabilise the soil. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. Re. common name, Will Fletcher suggests Eastern Tea Tree or Autumn Tea Tree as the preferred name of the Tasmanian Native Growers. Not suitable below powerlines. 

Capsule woody and somewhat wrinkled, 1.2cm in diameter, opening into 5 valves 

Standard 

 

 

Seed collection throughout the year as seed is retained on plant for long periods. Seed is not usually released until the plant meets with adversity such as drought, fire or injury. Very tiny seeds need to be kept quite moist during germination. Capillary watering recommended. 

2-4 weeks 

 

5-6 weeks 

6 months 

No 

From tip cuttings. Unless a special form is required, seed is a far better way to propagate L. grandiflorum