Kunzea ericoides

Kunzea ericoides, commonly known as kanuka or white tea-tree, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub of the family Myrtaceae, native to New Zealand, where it is widespread on disturbed ground, regenerating forest margins and dry hillsides from sea level to montane elevations. It typically grows 2–18 m tall with a slender, often crooked trunk to 50 cm in diameter and pale grey, flaky, papery bark that peels in long strips. The branchlets are slender, pubescent when young, and bear small, narrowly linear to lanceolate leaves 5–15 mm long and about 1 mm wide, alternate, soft to the touch and aromatic when crushed. Profuse, small white (occasionally pinkish) flowers about 4–8 mm across are borne in dense lateral clusters in late spring and summer; each has five spreading petals and numerous projecting stamens, giving the canopy a snow-like appearance. The fruit is a small woody capsule 2–3 mm in diameter, persistent on the branches, with three to five valves. Kanuka is often confused with Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) but is taller, with softer foliage and smaller flowers.