5599.000 Leptospermum J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.

Shrubs or trees; bark smooth fibrous or papery. Leaves alternate, sessile to shortly petiolate, lamina usually small, rigid, margins entire, often aromatic when crushed, sometimes lemon scented. Inflorescence flowers solitary or in clusters of 2-several. Flowers sessile in axils of bracts on condensed shoots; 5-merous hypanthium obtuse or tapered at base; sepals imbricate, sometimes persistent; stamens numerous usually shorter than petals. Fruit capsules, firm or woody, usually 3-5(-10)-valved. Seeds ovoid, reticulate, occasionally ridged or winged, or irregularly linear and striate.

Worldwide: 87 species in Indo-China to New Zealand.

Zimbabwe: 3 cultivated taxa.