Carmona retusa

Specimen : Cultivated

Local name : Tsaang-gubat

Trade names : Philippine tea, Fukien tea

Botanical name : Carmona retusa

Family : Boraginaceae

Specimen height : 3-4 meters

Traits : Drought tolerant; Evergreen; Fast-growing; Shade tolerant; Shrub to small tree

Recommendations : Backyards; Farms; Hedging; Home gardens; Ornamental shrub; Plantation; Potted; Public spaces; Urban greening; Wildcrafting

Used for : Fresh and dried leaves are used as tea; Bonsai material; Topiary material

Native range : India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia (including the Philippines), New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

National conservation status : Not threatened in the Philippines

Further reading :

Carmona retusa http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/pdf/carmona_retusa.pdf (106)