The term “tea tree” can get awfully confusing, because it is actually used as a common name for plants in a wide variety of genera, with no real common traits. Tea trees around the world produce foliage which is brewed into tea and pressed to yield naturally antibacterial oils. They are also used as firewood and as ornamental plants. The general chaos surrounding the term “tea tree” can get rather frustrating, especially there are significant differences between the tea tree genera, so when someone brings up tea trees, you may want to ask them to be specific.

Let's start with the true tea tree, Camellia sinensis. This tea tree literally yields tea, as in the caffeinated substance which is brewed from the leaves of the tea tree after they are specially treated. All true teas are made with the leaves of this plant, while hot beverages made from other plants are known as tisanes or infusions. Chances are that you have consumed the product of this tea tree at some point in your life, as it is immensely popular around the world.

People also use the term “tea tree” to talk about plants in the Melaleuca genus, native to Australia. These plants are characterized by prickly needles and bark which is often papery. The needles of the tree produce a highly aromatic natural oil which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Native Australians have used the tea tree in medical treatment for centuries, and when early explorers first began adventuring in Australia, the tea tree was one of the first things they learned about it. Captain Cook is responsible for the common name of the tea tree, because he and his crew used the leaves to brew a form of tisane.

You can also hear “tea tree” in reference to plants in the Leptospermum genus, native to Australia and New Zealand. These trees also have needly leaves, and they produce some interesting compounds of their own. Another common name for plants in this genus is “manuca,” and you can see various manuca products on the market, especially in New Zealand. Kunzea ericoides, another New Zealand plant which was once classified in the Leptospermum genus, is also sometimes called the “tea tree” or “white tea tree,” in a reference to its abundant small white flowers.

Finally, ornamental boxthorns are sometimes called tea trees, although these plants share nothing with the above plants, except for the common name. Boxthorns can often be quite pretty, with delicate flowers and lush foliage, but they are also rather savage plants, with nasty thorns which can make a tumble into a boxwood hedge very unpleasant.