Japanese name: ティーツリー Scientific name:Melaleuca alternifolia
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub to small tree growing up to 8 m tall.
The bark is papery and dull white.
The leaves are simple and alternate, linear, 1–3.5 cm long and 1–3 mm wide, soft, scattered along the branches or arranged in whorls, and densely set.
The leaves have entire margins and oil dots on the underside, and give off a fragrance when damaged.
Spike-like inflorescences bear flowers with conspicuous white stamens.
There are 5 petals, but they fall soon after flowering.
The fruit is a cup-shaped capsule.
[Uses]
The Indigenous people of Australia used it as a traditional medicine.
An essential oil, "tea tree oil," is obtained from the leaves and twigs.
The essential oil is said to have a bactericidal effect and is used medicinally and as a fragrance.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained soil and overwinters outdoors in warm regions.
Frost damages the leaves.
It is usually grown in a pot and kept indoors in winter.
Water when the soil surface dries.
If it runs short of water the leaves drop, so care is needed.
Keep it on the dry side in winter.
Apply slow-release fertilizer from spring to autumn.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
