Leptospermum liversidgei

taxobox
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Myrtaceae
genus = "Leptospermum"
binomial = "Leptospermum liversidgei"
binomial_authority = R. Baker & H. G. Smith|

"Leptospermum liversidgei" or lemon-scented tea tree, 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.

"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.