Leptospermum scoparium

Leptospermum scoparium, flower

The Südseemyrte ( Leptospermum scoparium ), also Neuseelandmyrte or Manuka (from Māori: Manuka ) called, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family ( Myrtaceae ). It is native to the mountainous regions of New Zealand and south-eastern Australia (New South Wales). In particular Manuka Oil and Manuka honey are created from it.

Description

The Südseemyrte growing shrub or tree structure to 4 meters in height. The branches and young leaves are tightly wrapped by silvery hair, more or less, in the older parts of the bark triggers in long strips from. The almost sessile, rigid, pungent pointed, erect or horizontally protruding leaves (but not on the same plant ) come in two main forms: narrow - lanceolate or ovate with heart-shaped base; they are 4-12 (rarely 20) mm long and 1-4 mm wide. The flowers are usually single in the leaf axils, sometimes at the end of branches and are short petiolate to sessile. They have a broadly top- shaped flower cups with triangular, early falling cup corners. The outstretched petals are roundish, about 6 mm long and white, rarely pink. The filaments of about 20 stamens are significantly thinner than the pen. From the upper side glabrous ovary, a fünfkammerige, woody capsule fruit of 3-7 × 4-10 mm in size, extending beyond the flower cups developed.

Dissemination

The Südseemyrte is native to New Zealand and southeastern Australia. In New Zealand it grows in lowland areas in subalpine regions in different habitats, especially open slopes, river banks, edges of woods and bushes.

Like all plants, the myrtle family is also the Südseemyrte extremely robust and needs for growth, very little nutrients. However, despite great resistance, a moist soil is essential for plant growth.

Ideal conditions finds the Südseemyrte on the North Island of New Zealand, its main area of ​​distribution. Important vegetation areas are Wairarapa and Tairawhiti, where it thrives partly under biological conditions ( sprawl ).

Use as a medicinal plant

In Europe, the possibility of a medical application of Südseemyrte by botanist Joseph Banks was observed, a member of the expedition of James Cook. He watched as the Maori related different elements of Südseemyrte in order disorder such as To cure gastrointestinal complaints, diseases of the bladder, colds, skin diseases and even wounds. These prepared the Maori also a decoction, whereupon the English colloquial name " Tea Tree " (Eng.: tea tree ) was created.

The plant contains essential oils that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. At her honey collected has shown in smaller studies effects against Helicobacter pylori, for chronic wounds and skin infections and is marketed as a remedy.