Kunzea sp. (Upright form)

Kunzea leptospermoides, K. peduncularis, K. sp. (Scrubby form) and K. sp. (Upright form) were previously all included in K. ericoides (A.Rich.) Joy Thomps. Kunzea ericoides sensu stricto is now thought to be endemic to New Zealand. The distinction between these 4 Victorian taxa is often slight at best, and clear patterns between them are often blurred by the apparent widespread hybridisation in this complex. Inspection of bark and a sound knowledge of the range of variation seen in species is often required for identification. A full treatment of this species complex is still to be completed; as such the above description should be treated as interim. It is based on a very limited number of specimens selected largely by their distribution and presence of a few key features, and does not account for variation seen in putative hybrid forms. Of the five Victorian entities that were included in K. ericoides, K. sp. (Upright form) is one of the main taxa that can be dominant in some places, particularly in disturbed sites such as roadsides, sometimes forming extensive stands.

See notes under K. leptospermoides and K. sp. (Scrubby form).