Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Lophostemon confertus (R. Br.) Peter G. Wilson & J.T. Waterh.

Synonyms

Tristania conferta R. Br.

Family

Myrtaceae

Common Names

Brisbane box, brush box, brushbox, Queensland box, Queensland brush box, red box, scrub box, vinegar tree, vinegartree

Origin

Native to the coastal and sub-coastal districts of eastern Australia, from northern Queensland to north-eastern New South Wales.

Naturalised Distribution

Naturalised beyond its native range in the coastal districts of central New South Wales.

Also naturalised overseas in Hawaii.

Notes

Brush box (Lophostemon confertus) is regarded as an environmental weed in the wider Sydney and Blue Mountains region. This native species grows naturally around the edges of rainforests and in most types of eucalypt forests in the eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. It is deliberately cultivated in other parts of Australia as a street tree, and has recently become naturalised in urban bushland around Sydney. For example, brush box (Lophostemon confertus) plants have been noted becoming established in bushland in Royal National Park and in Mosman.