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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Leptospermum laevigatum - Australian Tea Tree

The Australian Tea Tree is a large evergreen shrub or small multi-stemmed tree that's often wider than tall, eventually reaching 30' but generally 20' range. The dense canopy masks the spectacular branching pattern and bark. Best pruned to expose the twisting branches.



Leaves are evergreen, simple, alternately arranged, elliptical to oval, about an inch long, dull, light bluish green, thick, stiff, entire margins with a slight point at the end. 



Flowers are white, about 1" diameter, stiff looking with 5 wide spreading petals.



Fruit is a capsule, persistent on the stems for years.



This is a shot of a tree in SF Golden Gate Park. Wonderful specimen.



Misidentification:
other tea trees I guess, the leaves are fatter.

Location:
Aptos
1037 Via Tomasol

Capitola
612 El Salto