Scientific Name: Leptospermum lanigerum

Common Name: woolly teatree

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Myrtaceae

Form Description: Erect, dense tall shrub or small tree. More typically a shrub than a tree.

Height (m): 3 – 6

Flowers: Creamy-white, solitary, about 1.8cm in diameter.

Fruit: Woody capsule – button-shaped grey-brown when ripe, with defined valves at the top. Seeds are tiny, brownish “slivers” 1mm x 2mm.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationCoastal VegetationRiparianWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Widespread and abundant. Very hardy. Wide range of soil from acidic to strongly alkaline. Occurs in both poorly-drained and well-drained sites on moderately fertile soils in areas of high rainfall.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Shady, Waterlogged, Windy

Soil Tolerance

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

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Useful for providing low-level shelter (up to 6m) in mixed species windbreaks. Also useful in gully erosion control as the fibrous roots help stabilise the soil, and the branches can produce roots when they are in contact with moist soil. Bird attracting. The flowers attract many nectar feeding birds. Bee attracting. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. High flammability. Koori (mainland) use: the stems were used to make implements such as pegs for kangaroo skins, hunting spears and eel spears.

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

Seeds collected throughout the year. Seeds only released when the plant meets with adversity such as injury, drought or fire. Collect seed from older wood.

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

Very tiny seeds need to be kept quite moist during germination. Smoke treatment may improve germination.

Germination Time

2-4 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

From tip cuttings. To determine whether material is suitable for cuttings, bend it at right angles. If it springs back into position it is probably suitable.