Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Myrtales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Myrtaceae
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Leptospermum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., Char. Gen. Pl., ed. 2. 71, t. 36 (1775)
Type Taxon:
Leptospermum scoparium J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
Vernacular Name(s):
Moonah; Tea tree
 Description

Shrubs or trees. Lvs alternate, gland-dotted, often ericoid. Fls nearly always 5-merous, solitary or few in clusters, axillary or at the ends of short branches. Hypanthium broad-campanulate or rarely turbinate, enclosing ovary; calyx lobes herbaceous or membranous. Petals ± spreading, 5, free, orbicular. Stamens numerous, free, < petals, inserted on margin of disc; filaments in bud incurved towards stigma; anthers versatile; cells parallel and dehiscing by longitudinal slits. Ovary (3)–5–12-celled; ovules few to numerous. Style filiform. Capsule usually woody, rarely coriaceous, loculicidal, usually exserted from hypanthium; viable seed few.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Leptospermum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Non-endemic)1
Exotic: Casual6
Total7
 Bibliography
Chagné, D.; Sara Montanari, S.; Kirk, C.; Mitchell, C.; Heenan, P; Koot, E. 2023: Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis in Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae) supports two highly differentiated endemic species in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Tree Genetics & Genomes 19: 31 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-023-01606-w. (Published online: 04 July 2023)
Forster, J.R.; Forster, G. 1776: Characteres Generum Plantarum quas in Itinere ad Insulas Maris Australis Collegerunt, Descripserunt, Delinearunt, Annis. Edition 2. White, Cadell & Elmsley, London.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Thompson, J. 1989: A revision of the genus Leptospermum (Myrtaceae). Telopea 3(3): 301–448.