Scientific Name: Leptospermum glaucescens Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: smoky teatree

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Myrtaceae

Form Description: Shrub or small tree. Very variable in size and form. In west and south-west a tree to 18m.

Height (m): 2 – 8

Flowers: White with red centre, solitary with 5 petals.

Fruit: Woody capsule – succulent, dark red or purple, drying to leathery. Persistent on plant for only 1 or 2 seasons.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGlamorgan-Spring BayHuon ValleyKentishKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
HeathSedgeland and Wetland
Habitat Notes

Widespread and abundant in wet peaty heaths. Most common in lowland heath in shrub form. Widespread in scrub and forest understories in the west. Does not occur on poorly drained sites or at high altitudes.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Sandy, Well-drained

General Notes

Good wind break and screen plant. Bird attracting. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seed collected Jan-Mar often contains many juvenile capsules yielding non-viable seed; avoid this time.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Storage Life

Long

Seed Treatment Notes

Seeds retain viability for a long time. Smoke treatment has been used to improve germination for some species. Very tiny seed need to be kept quite moist during germination, do not sow too thickly. May be sown combined with sand. Cold treatment may help especially with seed from higher altitudes.

Germination Time

2-4 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Cuttings successful almost year-round. Best when parent plant is not in flower or bud.