Melaleuca hypericifolia
| Melaleuca hypericifolia | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Melaleuca hypericifolia (common name: tea tree)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn onto a pot of permanently moist soil in a warm greenhouse. Emmerse in 5cm of water and do not water from overhead. Grow on until the seedlings are 0.5cm tall then remove from the water and pot up a week later. Seedlings are liable to damp off when grown this way, sowing the seed thinly, good ventilation and hygiene are essential for success[1]. Grow the plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and then plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe lateral shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[1].
Cultivation: Requires a fertile, well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil in full sun[2]. Prefers a soil that does not contain much nitrogen[3]. Succeeds in heavy shade and moist soils in Australian gardens but does not withstand heavy frosts[4]. Tolerates salt spray[4].
A very ornamental plant[5], but it can be difficult to establish[6] and is unlikely to be hardy in many areas of the country. Plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[7].
Seed takes about 12 months to develop on the plant, the woody seed capsules persist for 3 or more years[1].
Any pruning is best done after the plants have flowered with the intention of maintaining a compact habit[1].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, S. Queensland.
Habitat: Usually on coastal headlands in wet soils, it is also found on moist ledges and cliffs on the Great Dividing range[8].
Medicinal: An essential oil obtained from the fresh leaves and twigs is anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and highly stimulant[9]. It is used internally as a stimulating expectorant in laryngitis and bronchitis, as an antiseptic in cystitis and as an anthelmintic for round worms[9]. It is used externally to treat various skin infections[9]. It relieves headaches[8].
Usage: Plants can be used for hedging in climates suitable for their growth[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lassak, Erich and Tara McCarthy. Australian Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.