'TANTOON' JELLY BUSH / YELLOW TEA-TREE (Leptospermum Polygalifolium subsp. polygalifolium) Seeds

Leptospermum polygalifolium is a shrub, often 0.5 to 3 metres in height , or a slender  trunked tree to 7 meters or more. It is hardy and can be relied on to produce a good display of flowers each year. Useful screen and windbreak.  

Occurs from central eastern New South Wales to the southern border with Victoria.

An attractive plant often used as an ornamental. It grows to around 2 - 4m and would be the species of choice for plantations for the production of honey north of the NSW - Vic border whilst Manuka would be better suited to the southern states.

Flowers are usually white but may be greenish, off-white to pale pink and are usually 10 to 15 mm in diameter.

Leptospermum polygalifolium is often used in hybridization, and many of the garden cultivars are descended from it in some way

Bush food: The honey produced is very similar in terms of its chemical structure and medicinal properties compared to manuka honey produced from the flowers of Leptospermum scoparium (manuka). 

Bush medicine: A volatile oil is extracted from the leaves, and used as an inhalation to relieve bronchitis. This oil is also used as an embrocation to treat rheumatism. .

Germination: usually occurs within 2-5 weeks.
Smoke treatment may improve germination rate.

Although seed can be sown most of the year in australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°c