Leatherwood is an understorey tree endemic to Tasmania. Its name, leatherwood, comes from the extreme flexibility and good workability of its timber, making it popular for furniture making, but its name may be also derived from the waxy, leather-coloured sheath that covers young leaves and petals. It has been growing on this island for more than 65 million years.
Renowned as a honey nectar tree, it is the single most important resource for the apiary industry, accounting for almost 70% of all honey produced in Tasmania. The uniquely flavored leatherwood honey is only produced in Tasmania.
The nectar-rich flowers of leatherwood are quite visible from a distance, varying from the common white to shades of pink. They spread strong, sweet perfume that attracts innumerable insects.It takes years for a leatherwood to bloom. It is said that trees under 75 generally have few or no flowers and the most prolific flowering trees are those that 175 to 210 years old.The older the leatherwood tree, the more flowers it produces. On account of this, wherever possible areas dominated by leatherwood trees are excluded from timber industry to maintain a resource for the apiary industry. But the ruthless bushfires engulfed the western coast of Tasmania in January 2016 significantly damaged the slow growing leatherwood forests, having a devastating impact on the Tasmanian beekeeping industry.
The fruits are small, leathery capsules which, when ripe, opening into boat-shaped sections and release many coppery-winged seeds about 12 months after flowering.
