Coastal tea tree

Description

Leptospermum laevigatum, commonly known as the coastal tea tree, is a woody shrub or small tree of the myrtaceae family native to eastern Australia. Salt-resistant and very hardy, it is commonly used in amenities plantings and coastal plantings. It has also been used in Western Australia where it has become a weed. The full name for the species is Leptospermum laevigatum (Gaertn.) F.Muell. The shrub or tree typically grows to a height of 1.5 to 6 metres (5 to 20 ft). It blooms between April and October producing white-pink flowers. The Coastal Tea Tree is found in all states and territories of Australia with the exception of the Northern Territory, although is considerable prominent throughout the South-East Coastline of Australia, see Atlas of Living Australia for distribution. As a highly invasive species it is found in other countries and parts of the world. This species has been planted along the Central Coast of California in the United States to stabilize sand. It is known there as the Australian tea tree.