| Lophostemon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lophostemon confertus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Subfamily: | Myrtoideae |
| Tribe: | Lophostemoneae |
| Genus: | Lophostemon Schott [1] [2] |
| Type species | |
| Lophostemon arborescens Schott [3] : 423 | |
Lophostemon ('lophos' - crest, 'stemon' - stamen) is a genus of 4 species of evergreen trees in the myrtle and clove family Myrtaceae. All four species are native to Australia, with one extending to New Guinea. The genus was first described in 1830 but not widely recognised until the 1980s. All four species were previously included in the related genus Tristania . [3]
L. confertus, is a familiar tree to many people living along the east coast of Australia,[ according to whom? ] where it known colloquially as the brush box. Quite frequently, it has been planted as a street tree, a role it isn't suited for as it grows to 30 metres in height and quite often suffers lopping due to obstructing overhead power lines.[ citation needed ]
Lophostemon species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including Aenetus ligniveren .[ citation needed ]