Family: Myrtaceae

Leptospermum lanigerum (woolly teatree) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub endemic to Australia. For generations, Indigenous Australians have utilized this species, which remains a popular choice for gardens today. It is cultivated as an ornamental screen or hedge. The leaves can be used as a tea substitute. It is reported to be naturalized in the United Kingdom but is not documented to be naturalized on any Hawaiian Islands to date.  Although there are no reports so far of negative impacts where naturalized, other species of this genus are invasive in Hawaiʻi. It is a resilient plant, being flammable, shade tolerant, and able to tolerate severe pruning. This combined with its hardy seeds that persist in the canopy make it a plant of concern.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in the United Kingdom
  
• Other species are invasive
  
• Unpalatable
  
• Tolerates shade
  
• Flammable, could increase fire risk
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense thickets in native range
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively when branches contact moist soil
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, water and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds able to be stored for extended periods, and persist on plants, forming a canopy-stored seed bank
  
• Tolerates and resprouts from severe pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• Temperate species, may only be a threat at cooler, higher elevations of tropical island ecosystems
  
• No reports of negative impacts where naturalized
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Seeds may be retained on plants for extended periods, limiting dispersal unless exposed to fire or drought