Collecting samples of Leptospermum scoparium in coastal region of Southern Victoria October 2015
Populations of Leptospermum should be tested during flowering at least at a reconnaissance level to ensure that there is bioactivity in the plants and to establish an approximate average DHA level. More detailed testing will allow for the identification of individual plants that have a higher-than-average DHA from which selections can be made.
It is interesting to note also that the full flowering time of coastal populations of Leptospermum scoparium occurs in September – October whilst inland populations around the Gramians full-flower in December – January. This has been observed closely over many years. These flowering times are replicated when in cultivation. Sporadic light flowering may be observed during other periods of the year and may be misunderstood by a casual observer.
This is critical information to have and understand where this species is used in plantations because it allows a design for an extended flowering period where the two provenances are mixed. Also, it can potentially avoid having a flowering period corresponding with surrounding flora also flowering at or about the same time,