Melaleuca alternifolia

An evergreen shrub or tree, to 6m in its native Australia, with papery, grey-white bark and smooth, linear, needle-like leaves to 3cm long, scattered irregularly or whorled along the stems. The leaves are the source of tea tree oil. In summer it produces small white flowers, held in dense spikes that resemble a bottle-brush; these are followed by small, woody, cup-shaped fruits