Leptospermum liversidgei

Leptospermum liversidgei
File:Leptospermum liversidgei.jpg
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 lemon-scented tea-tree, swamp may, olive 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.

Leptospermum 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.