Leptospermum liversidgei
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| Leptospermum liversidgei | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Leptospermum |
| Species: | L. liversidgei |
| Binomial name | |
| Leptospermum liversidgei R. Baker & H. G. Smith | |
Leptospermum liversidgei, commonly known as Swamp May, Olive Teatree, Lemon-scented Teatree or Lemon Teatree, is a shrub to 4 m found naturally growing in wet coastal heath in Eastern Australia. Leaves are 5-7 mm long, with a distinctive lemony aroma. The white or pink flowers are solitary, followed by a woody capsule.
The name "Leptospermum" is from the Greek "leptos sperma" which means "thin seed", and "liversidgei" is after Professor A. Liversidge.
L.liversidgei has two essential oil chemotypes:
- The citral chemotype is used as a bushfood spice to flavour teas and food products. This citral chemotype is sometimes called "lemon teatree" when the dried leaves are used in tea, and as food flavouring. Small-scale production is from wild-harvesting.
- The citronellal chemotype is cultivated as a mosquito repellent.
The shrub is also cultivated as a garden ornamental.
Leptospermum petersonii, is also called "lemon-scented teatree", and produces a similar lemony essential oil.
References
- Harden, G.J., Flora of New South Wales, Volume 2, ISBN 0-86840-164-1.
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