Leptospermum polygalifolium subsp. howense, commonly known as tea tree or tea-tree, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The subspecific epithet refers to the island to which the subspecies is endemic.[1]
| Leptospermum polygalifolium subsp. howense | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Leptospermum |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | L. p. subsp. howense
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Leptospermum polygalifolium subsp. howense | |
Description
editIt is a rough-barked shrub or small spreading tree, growing to about 5 m, occasionally to 10 m. The narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblanceolate leaves are 5–8 mm long and 2–2.5 mm wide. The conspicuous white flowers, 15 mm across, appear from November to January. The fruits are woody, 6 mm diameter, domed, 5-valved capsules.[1][2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe subspecies is endemic to Australia's subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. It is a characteristic plant of the island's mountain peaks, sometimes occurring at lower elevations, in evergreen forest and shrubland.[1][2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d " Leptospermum polygalifolium subsp. howense ". Flora of Australia Online: Data derived from Flora of Australia Volume 49 (1994). Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS). Retrieved 2014-02-26.
- ^ a b Hutton, Ian (1998). The Australian Geographic Book of Lord Howe Island. Sydney: Australian Geographic. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-876276-27-0.
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