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Correa alba - Andrews.

Common Name Cape Barren Tea
Family Rutaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy and rocky habitats by the coast[154, 157, 200].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Correa alba Cape Barren Tea


Correa alba Cape Barren Tea

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Correa alba is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[2, 177, 183]. They are pleasantly aromatic with a sweetish flavour[144, 154].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a freely draining lime-free peaty soil or a sandy soil rich in organic matter and a sunny position[1, 200]. Another report says that plants do best in a well-drained, rather poor soil with some limestone[260]. Plants are very resistant to salt spray[157]. This species is hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. Plants can tolerate at least short-lived frosts down to about -5°c in Britain[200] and they can be grown on a sunny wall in the milder parts of the country[1, 166]. In S. Cornwall they succeed as free-growing shrubs[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Fresh seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[164]. Stored seed can be difficult to germinate, leaching with water can help, or perhaps a short burst of fire will initiate germination[260]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a shaded frame[200]. Cuttings are generally quite easy to root[260].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales (east), South Australia (southeast), Victoria (south))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aegle marmelosBael Tree, Golden Apple, Bengal QuinceTree10.0 10-12 SLMHNM334

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Andrews.

Botanical References

154200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Sandra Smith   Mon Apr 28 2008

I planted my Correa in the summer of 2007. It started flowering in November and is still in full bloom today (end April 2008). I am definitely going to try some cuttings later this summer. I am hoping it will eventually achieve 6' in order to obscure an unsightly fence.

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Subject : Correa alba  
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