Kunzea fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are kunzeas?

Kunzeas are native Australian shrubs in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. A common species in Sydney bushland is Kunzea ambigua, also known as tick bush. It has many fine branches, small narrow leaves, rough fibrous bark and clusters of white feathery flowers in spring and summer.

Kunzea grows in heath and dry eucalypt forest, especially on shallow sandy soils. In Field of Mars Reserve it grows in higher, drier areas and can form dense thickets that provide shelter, nectar, nesting places and hunting spaces for many animals.

The name Kunzea honours German naturalist Dr Gustav Kunze.

A kunzea flower.

Kunzea shrubs can grow close together to form a thicket.

Where do kunzeas grow?

Kunzeas grow in different parts of Australia, with many species found in coastal regions and sandy bushland. Tick bush, Kunzea ambigua, grows in heath and dry sclerophyll forest in parts of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Around Sydney it is often associated with dry eucalypt forest on sandstone-derived soils.

At Field of Mars Reserve, tick bush grows in higher and drier parts of the reserve. It is locally common enough that one walking track is named Kunzea Track. Dense stands of kunzea can create shady, sheltered patches in the shrub layer beneath taller eucalypts.

The Kunzea Track in Field of Mars Reserve passes through dry bushland where kunzea grows.

How are kunzeas used by Aboriginal Peoples?

Some Aboriginal Peoples in the Sydney region used kunzea for medicine, food and shelter. The leaves are recorded as having antibacterial qualities and were used to help treat wounds. They could also be crushed or made into a paste and used to help repel insects.

Kunzea flowers produce nectar, which could provide a sweet food source, while branches could be used in shelter-making. This plant knowledge shows the close connection between Aboriginal Peoples and local bushland plants.

Kunzea leaves are part of the plant knowledge connected to some traditional uses.

What animals use kunzeas?

Kunzea shrubs provide food and shelter for many animals. Their nectar-rich flowers attract insects such as beetles, as well as birds and mammals that feed from flowers. As these animals move between flowers, they can help transfer pollen.

Dense kunzea thickets give small animals places to hide, forage and nest. Common ringtail possums can build dreys among the branches, small birds such as superb fairy-wrens can hunt for insects in the foliage, and spiders and other invertebrates can shelter among the leaves, bark and branch spaces.

Ringtail possums often build dreys in dense shrubs such as kunzea.

Leaf-curling spiders can use kunzea leaves and branches for shelter.

What is the life cycle of kunzeas?

Kunzeas begin life as tiny seeds. When conditions are suitable, a seed germinates and grows into a young shrub. As the plant matures it develops woody stems, small leaves and flower buds.

Tick bush flowers mainly in spring and summer. Animals visiting the flowers can move pollen between plants. After pollination, small dry capsules form and protect the developing seeds. When the capsules open, the tiny seeds are released and may be carried to new places by wind.

Kunzea flowers produce nectar that attracts animals.

Kunzea seed capsules protect tiny seeds until they are released.

What adaptations do kunzeas have to help them survive?

Tick bush is well suited to dry bushland. Its small narrow leaves help reduce water loss, which is useful in sandy soils that do not hold much moisture. The plant can grow in nutrient-poor soils where many other plants may struggle.

Its dense branching growth also helps it survive in open, exposed places by creating a protected shrub layer. The small dry capsules protect seeds until they are ready to be released, helping the plant reproduce in changing bushland conditions.

Kunzea has small narrow leaves that help reduce water loss.

Why are kunzeas important?

Kunzeas are important because they add structure to the shrub layer of bushland. Dense thickets provide shelter for small birds, possums, spiders and many other invertebrates. Flowers provide nectar and pollen, and visiting animals can help pollinate the plants.

Kunzea leaves and small branches fall to the ground and become part of the leaf litter. This helps protect soil, hold moisture, recycle nutrients and create habitat for decomposers and small ground-dwelling animals.

Beetles and other insects use kunzea flowers for food and shelter.

How can you help kunzeas?

You can help kunzeas by protecting the bushland where they grow. Stay on walking tracks, avoid trampling young plants, and do not pick flowers, leaves or branches. Leave leaf litter, bark and fallen twigs in place where it is safe, because these materials provide habitat and help recycle nutrients.

Students can also help by learning to identify local native plants, joining bushcare activities with adults, removing weeds under supervision and keeping dogs on leads where required. Planting local native shrubs in suitable gardens or school grounds can also support birds, insects and other wildlife.

Staying on walking tracks helps protect native shrubs and young plants.

Related fact sheets

More plant fact sheets

• Plant fact sheets – Explore more native Sydney and NSW plant fact sheets.
• Hairpin banksia fact sheet – Learn about another native shrub that provides nectar for birds, mammals and insects.
• Old man banksia fact sheet – Explore a local banksia that supports nectar-feeding animals and responds to fire.
• Grass tree fact sheet – Compare kunzea with another dry-forest understorey plant.
• Scribbly gum fact sheet – Learn about a eucalypt that grows in similar Sydney sandstone bushland.
• Sydney peppermint fact sheet – Explore a local eucalypt that can grow in dry forest habitats.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – Learn about the local bushland where kunzea grows.
• Eucalypt forest fact sheet – Explore the forest habitat where kunzea can form part of the shrub layer.
• Shrub habitats fact sheet – Discover how shrubs provide shelter, food and nesting places.

Animals that use this habitat

• Common ringtail possum fact sheet – Learn about a possum that can build dreys in dense shrubs.
• Superb fairy-wren fact sheet – Discover a small bird that uses shrubs for shelter and foraging.
• Eastern spinebill fact sheet – Learn about a nectar-feeding bird that visits flowering native shrubs.
• Rainbow lorikeet fact sheet – Explore a bird that feeds on nectar and helps pollinate native plants.
• Red wattlebird fact sheet – Learn about a honeyeater that visits flowering trees and shrubs.

Food webs and ecological relationships

• Insects fact sheet – Discover insects that pollinate plants, eat leaves and provide food for other animals.

• Birds fact sheet – Explore how birds use plants for food, shelter and nesting.

• Mammals fact sheet – Learn how mammals use native plants for food, shelter and movement.

Learn with us