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Australian Teatrees - genus Leptospermum |
Of the 86 species, 81 are endemic to Australia; 1 tropical species (L. amboinense) extends to South-east Asia; a species common in Tasmania (L. scoparium) is widespread in New Zealand; and 3 species are endemic to South-east Asia. These 3 species are L. javanicum, L. parviflorum and L. recurvum, the last being found only on Mt Kinabalu in North Borneo.
The different species occupy a wide range of habitats, but most are associated with low-nutrient soils in areas where ample water is available. Many of the eastern coastal species occur in damp heaths, while others are found in rocky or sandy sites.
