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A shrub to 2 metres tall by about 1 metre wide.
It has a wide, albeit interesting, distribution across NSW, extending north from around Nowra, extending north and north-west, out to the central western slopes (Dubbo) with a coastal distribution to about Newcastle but then heading inland, through the north-western slopes and tablelands to just over the Qld border.
It grows in dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, usually on shallow soils and rocky outcrops including sandstone.
It has thin branches with thin and rough bark which is sometimes flaky.
Gaudium spp. have simple and alternate leaves. In this species, leaves are comparatively small – obovate (narrow to broad) to 8 mm long and to 3 mm wide, dark to mid green.
Gaudium typically produce solitary flowers, or in small groups of 2s and 3s or more, within the leaf axils. Flowers have 5 petals and sepals and have a symmetrical rotate shape. Stamens are produced in groups of 5 which surround 1 carpel (female part). The prominent feature in Gaudium/Leptospermum is the hypanthium, a cup or vase-shaped receptacle that supports the flower.
In this species, flowers are produced singularly, to about 10 mm in diameter, white to pink, occurring in spring. The flower buds usually have reddish-brown bracts that fall off as the flowers open.
The fruit is a capsule with 5 valves, about 4 mm in diameter and hairy, persisting for a while after seed release.
This species is known to be cultivated and is reported to be hardy. It may be hard to source locally.
It is frost tolerant and makes for a nice garden shrub. Has very small leaves and so foliage may appear sparse. However, it can flower profusely once mature and established.
Plant in a sunny to part-shade spot. It likely does better on a free draining soil (sands to sandy loams) but may tolerate heavier soils. Prune lightly to encourage a denser shape and flowering and to remove dead branchlets.
Most Gaudium species make good garden plants.
Gaudium spp. (formerly Leptospermum) are generally susceptible to the webbing caterpillar. Usually, the most effective control method for this pest is removing infestations by hand or, if necessary, you can systematically spray with a suitable pesticide. They are also prone to scale insects which is best treated by spraying white oil solution.
They are easy to propagate from seed or cuttings. Seeds are available commercially as are plants.
Please note the following changes:
In 2023, the genus Leptospermum of about 90-100 species, was reclassified and reduced to about 34 species, occurring in south-east Asia, New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. Australia now has at least 31 species, occurring mostly in the eastern states. NSW currently has 31 species. The remaining approximately 60 species, that were previously Leptospermum, are now classified in four new genera: Aggreflorum, Gaudium, Leptospermopsis and Apectospermum. Species in these new genera are titled as such on this website with the synonymous Leptospermum name also indicated, for clarity.
Gaudium is a genus of 22 species, endemic to Australia, occurring mainly in eastern Australia, with one species occurring in Western Australia. NSW currently has 15 species. Gaudium differs from Leptospermum by having fruiting-capsules usually deciduous and either non-woody, or with non-woody valves. In addition, the seeds of Gaudium are ovoid to cuneiform and with a reticulate (net-like) surface, whereas they are linear with longitudinal striations in Leptospermum.
Many Gaudium species have an ability to regenerate vegetatively after fire with suckering basal growth and branch-shoots. They will also regenerate by seed.
The general common name, Teatree, derives from the practice of early Australian settlers who soaked the leaves of several species in boiling water to make a herbal tea.
Gaudium – Latin for ‘joy’ – in tribute to NSW Herbarium Botanist Joy Thompson (1923-2018) who published an extensive study on Leptospermum in 1989 (which recognised several new species), and was considered the primary expert on the genus.
parvifolium – Latin – parvi meaning “small” and –folium – leaf, referring to the small leaves of the species.
This species is not considered to be at risk of extinction in the wild.
Australian National Botanic Gardens – Leptospermum profile page https://www.anbg.gov.au/leptospermum/
NSW Flora Online (PlantNET) – Leptospermum parvifolium profile page https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Leptospermum~parvifolium
Plants of South Eastern NSW – Leptospermum parvifolium profile page https://apps.lucidcentral.org/plants_se_nsw/text/entities/leptospermum_parvifolium.htm
Australian Plants Society – North Shore Group – Topic 30 – Leptospermums and Baeckeas (dated 2018) https://austplants.com.au/resources/Documents/North-Shore-Documents/October%2029%20Topic%2030%20Leptospermum%202018.pdf
Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M.I. (2001). Australian Native Plants – Propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping. 4th edition. New Holland Publishers, Pty. Ltd. Australia (as Leptospermum parvifolium)