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Melaleuca alternifolia is a small tree that can grow to about 7 m with a bushy crown and whitish, papery bark. Its leaves are rich in oil, with prominent glands. The tree is endemic to Australia, where it grows along streams and on swampy flats in southeast Queensland and the north coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales. Unlike several other Melaleuca species, it does not occur naturally outside Australia.

Tea tree oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and terpenes of about 100 components. The International Standard ISO 4730 defines tea tree oil as oil of Melaleuca of the terpinen-4-ol type. Terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene and α-terpinene make up about 70% to 90% of the whole oil. Among the phytochemicals in tea tree oil products, terpinen-4-ol is the major component. The levels of 1,8-cineole are usually inversely proportional to the levels of terpinen-4-ol. The oil is only sparingly soluble in water and is miscible with nonpolar solvents. Its composition changes if it is exposed to air and oxidises. The composition may also change considerably during storage, with ρ-cymene levels increasing and α- and γ-terpinene levels declining.

Melaleuca alternifolia is the primary species for commercial production of tea tree oil. Of all the properties claimed for the oil, its antimicrobial activity has received the most attention. Terpinen-4-ol is one of the main antimicrobial components of the oil. Tea tree oil has been used in skin care products and is approved as a complementary medicine for aromatherapy in Australia. It is poisonous if consumed by mouth.

Today there are plantations in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, though most are in New South Wales around the Lismore region. Typically, plantations are established from seedlings sown and raised in greenhouses before being planted out in the field at high density.

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Related: Desert Sagebrush · Eucalyptus