White flowered variety growing wild in a Maui pasture
Identification:
New Zealand tea tree is a widespread horticultural plant on Maui (see map,) but can be prevented from invading Molokai. This compact shrub or small tree grows to 6 m (20 ft) with many erect thin branches. Tea tree prefers sunlight and drier conditions. Lancelike, narrow (8-15 mm or 1/3-1/2 in wide) leaves are ALTERNATE in growth arrangement. Oil glands beneath the leaves produce an astringent "tea tree oil" smell. Small white to pink flowers grow at the end of small stems growing sideways of of main branches. Tiny 5 valved brown seeds (1.5 mm) are numerous.
Pukiawe (Styphelia tameiameiae):
Pukiawe is a small, variable shrub that is native to Hawaii. This shrub ranges from coatal to alpine, though it is most prominant in higher elevations. The small lancelike leaves often have a dull white hue. Flowers are white to pink, and smaller than the tea trees. Mature fruit is dark red, pink or white.
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