CAT-00015
Lemon-scented tea tree
Leptospermum petersonii
Catalog fields
- Genus
- Leptospermum
- Photo
- Not recorded
- Edible
- Yes
- layout
- double
- Habitat
- Not recorded
- Published
- Yes
- Food group
- Herb / spice
- Latin name
- Leptospermum petersonii
- Fruit photo
- Not recorded
- Plant title
- Lemon-scented tea tree
- Source URLs
- https://resources.austplants.com.au/plant/leptospermum-petersonii/; https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?lvl=sp&name=Leptospermum~petersonii&page=nswfl Open source ↗ Open source 2 ↗
- Catalogue ID
- CAT-00015
- Mature width
- About 4 m
- Native range
- Northern NSW into coastal SE QLD; rainforest/wet forest escarpments.
- Plant family
- Myrtaceae
- Supplier SKU
- LEPPET
- Listing group
- Original garden variety
- Mature height
- About 5 m
- Native states
- NSW, QLD
- Original list
- Yes
- Research date
- 10/10/2026
- Research notes
- Species name retained; not the shorter 'Lemon Hedge' cultivar. Seasons vary with climate, location, cultivar and plant maturity.
- Evidence status
- Original variety; food-use detail review pending
- Fruiting season
- Capsules after flowering; may persist
- Background photo
- Not recorded
- Edible component
- Leaves for infusion
- Flowering season
- Spring-early summer; mainly December-January in NSW flora.
- Brief description
- Fast-growing tree/shrub; flaky bark; soft lemon-scented leaves; white flowers.
- Drought tolerance
- High once established; copes with dry conditions.
- Preparation notes
- Culinary leaf/rhizome flavouring; use a species-specific recipe.
- Flower description
- White flowers about 1-1.5 cm across, usually solitary.
- General cultivation
- General guidance (qualitative): Sun-part shade; well-drained soil; prune to shape; monitor webbing caterpillars.
- Botanical description
- Not recorded
- Other botanical names
- Not recorded
- Attracts birds and bugs
- Insect pollinators; may host webbing caterpillars.
- Flora of Australia profile
- Not recorded
- Fruit type and description
- Dry woody five-valved capsules, to about 6 mm.
- Flora of Australia citation
- Not recorded
- Flora of Australia retrieved
- Not recorded