Scientific name: Leptospermum flavescens Sm.
Local names: malasulasi (Tag.), red tea tree (Engl.) tinikaran (Bgbo.)
Family: Myrtaceae
Description:. Shrub to small tree growing to about 5 m or taller. Leaves alternate, entire, linear or lanceolate. Flowers are white and star-like, to 1 cm wide, arising from the axils of branches. Fruit is a small, woody capsule.
Distribution: Philippines: Luzon, Mindoro, Negros, Mindanao (Surigao, Davao).
Also found in Myanmar through Malay Peninsula to tropical Australia.
Habitat: In the Philippines it is found in montane or submontane forests at elevations higher than 1000 m altitude.
Economic uses: The wood is used for firewood; occasionally planted as ornamental. It is reported to be medicinal in other countries.
Conservation status: Vulnerable.
Conservation Notes: At present the population of this species is not threatened but it may become so in the future if their habitat is destroyed or the plant is harvested for economic reasons.
Photo by : D.A.Madulid
For further information write to: Domingo A. Madulid, Email: d.madulid@yahoo.com