[8] Smith's description was republished in his 1793 A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland,[8] but this did not stop Richard Anthony Salisbury publishing the same plant as Metrosideros aromatica in 1796.

Sydney peppermint occurs in the tablelands and coastal areas of central and southern New South Wales,[4] especially on the sides of valleys.

[10] Australian botanist, Joseph Maiden, was of the opinion that Dennis Considen, a surgeon on the First Fleet deserves credit for being the first person to recognize the medicinal value of Eucalyptus oil extracted from E. piperita found growing on the shores of Port Jackson in 1788.

I have sent you a specimen of it if there is any merit in applying these and many other simples[sic] to the benefit of the poor wretches here, I certainly claim it, being the first who discovered and recommended them".

[13][14] John White, Surgeon General to the Colony, is also credited with the discovery, in documenting the matter[15] and organizing oil samples to be sent back to England.