Melaleuca howeana, commonly known as tea tree, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the Lord Howe Island group, 600 km (400 mi) off the east coast of Australia.

[2][3][4] Melaleuca howeana was first formally described in 1924 by Edwin Cheel in Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales.

It is common, especially in sites exposed to salt spray such as on the seashore and sea cliffs but also on ridges further inland.

[2][3][4] Melaleuca howeana provides habitat for the Lord Howe Island stick insect Dryococelus australis, a critically endangered species.

A specimen on Ball's Pyramid is growing in a small crevice where water seeps through cracks in the underlying rocks.