Tea Bush

USF Plant Atlas location in Hillsborough appears to have been from seed in imported soil - the one in St. Lucie County has been removed from the FLAS database (likely it was an error).

The Institute for Regional Conservation reports the species to be extirpated in Florida  though it is occasionally cultivated, potentially from imported plants.  Images provided here are from a specimen cultivated by Roger Hammer.



Use as a specimen plant.

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.



Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Pine rocklands

• Showy flowers, Interesting foliage
• Attracts pollinating insects, especially bees.  Roger Hammer reports that insects swarm on the flowers, especially small butterflies such as hairstreaks, crescents, blues, and skippers, and also nectar-seeking wasps, various native bees, and imported honeybees.