Family: Myrtaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Gaudium laevigatum (Australian teatree) is a small evergreen tree or large shrub native to eastern Australia, from New South Wales to Tasmania. It is valued as an ornamental for its dense foliage, peeling bark, and masses of small white flowers that attract pollinators. This species is often planted as a screening plant, windbreak, or landscape accent because of its hardiness and tolerance of poor soils and coastal conditions. In Hawaiʻi, it has become naturalized on Oʻahu, is naturalized on Lānaʻi, and is considered potentially naturalizing on Maui.
Risks & Threats
Australian teatree is considered a high risk species for Hawaiʻi because it is already naturalized and shows traits associated with invasive plants. It can spread beyond cultivation through abundant seed production and may establish dense stands that compete with native vegetation for light, water, and space. These characteristics raise concern for tropical island ecosystems, where invasive woody plants can alter habitat structure, reduce biodiversity, and interfere with natural ecosystem processes. Because this species possesses traits that are cause for concern and could detrimentally impact Hawaiʻi’s unique environments, planting low risk or native alternatives is strongly recommended.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized & invasive in South Africa, Hawaii, California, Australia
- Forms dense, fire-prone thickets displacing natives
- Tolerates wide range of soils
- Prolific viable seed production
- Seeds dispersed by wind, water, vehicles, garden refuse
- Planted intentionally as ornamental/hedge
- Fire triggers mass seed release; tolerates heavy pruning
Low Risk Traits:
- No spines, or thorns
- Not allelopathic, parasitic, toxic, or allergenic
- No vegetative fragmentation
- No bird or external animal dispersal
- No persistent soil seed bank (canopy-stored seeds only)
