The name Manuka comes from the indigenous people of New Zealand, the Māori. The plant is also referred to as South Sea Myrtle (Leptospermum scoparium) or New Zealand Myrtle. It belongs to the myrtle family, which is related to the Australian tea tree and is native to the mountainous regions of New Zealand and southeastern Australia. Manuka grows as a shrub or tree up to about 4m in height. The plant is very hardy and thrives in lowland to sub-alpine elevations.
The manuka plant has become famous for the honey it produces and for its manuka essential oil (authentic tea tree oil). The plant parts of the manuka were traditionally used by the Māori as a natural remedy for both humans and animals. English missionaries brought the first beehives to New Zealand in 1839 so that eventually the famous manuka honey could be obtained.
The honey is obtained from the nectar of white and pink manuka flowers. Manuka mostly grows next to the related kanuka, which produces pure red and pink flowers. Because of their proximity, manuka honey usually also has small proportions of kanuka.
