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A shrub growing to a height of 3 metres by 1 to 2 metres wide.
It has a very limited distribution, found along the Colo River of NSW, mostly between Wisemans Ferry and Colo Heights, extending up the Putty Road.
It grows in dry sclerophyll woodland and forest, amongst sandstone rocks on the along the river.
It has thin, firm bark and hairy younger stems.
Leptospermum spp. have simple and alternate leaves. In this species, leaves are narrow-elliptic, to 35 mm long by 5 mm wide, with a stiff point and a narrowing apex, mid-green.
Leptospermum 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 Leptospermum is the hypanthium, a cup or vase-shaped receptacle that supports the flower.
In this species, the flowers are produced solitarily, to 20 mm in diameter and are dark red to pink-red, occurring in October to November
The capsules are to 12 mm in diameter and remain on the plant after seed is released.
This plant is known to be cultivated, despite its limited distribution in the wild and is available commercially. This is largely due to its very unusual but attractive dark red to pink-red flower colour.
It is proving to be a hardy shrub for moist soils in temperate climates.
It is most suited to a sunny position with free-draining soil (sandy to sandy loam). But it may tolerate other soil types. This shrub has a nice form when pruned with neatly arranged foliage. It does not get overly large. It may not flower well in subtropical to tropical climates.
There is one cultivar available which is a hybrid, for which this species is a parent (see below).
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. Plants are available commercially. Cultivars are propagated from cuttings to maintain the type-form.
There is a very attractive cultivar available called ‘Aphrodite’ with pink flowers. It is a hybrid involving this species as a parent. It is a very attractive low growing but widely spreading shrub.
Most Leptospermum species are endemic to Australia where most are found in southern areas of the country and many make desirable garden plants. However, 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.
The many cultivars in existence are still titled under Leptospermum.
The nectar from the flowers of one species (L. scoparium) is harvested by bees, yielding honey, which is marketed as Manuka honey.
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.
Many Leptospermum species have an ability to regenerate vegetatively after fire with suckering basal growth and branch-shoots. They will also regenerate by seed.
Leptospermum – derived from the Greek words leptos (λεπτός) meaning “thin”, “fine” or “slender” and sperma (σπέρμα) meaning “seed”, referring to the thin brown seeds of the genus.
spectabile – Latin translating to “spectacle”, “remarkable” and “worth seeing” – referring to the unusual and showy red flowers.
It is not considered to be at risk of extinction in the wild but has a very limited distribution.
Australian Native Botanic Gardens – Leptospermum profile page https://www.anbg.gov.au/leptospermum/
NSW Flora Online (PlantNET) – Leptospermum spectabile profile page https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Leptospermum~spectabile
Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M.I. (2001). Australian Native Plants – Propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping. 4th edition. New Holland Publishers, Pty. Ltd. Australia.
Gardening with Angus – Leptospermum ‘Aphrodite’ profile page https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/leptospermum-aphrodite-tea-tree/