This is organized by the plants you listed, with additional suggestions and notes at the end.

1. Cyclopia intermedia (honeybush tea)

The information I found on this plant indicates that it is gathered in the wild. I could not find plants or seeds. Here are some links to very interesting information about the plant:

This link lists several species and has a list of resources at the end.

This link is cited in the first link, above.

As an aside (but related to the fact that this plant is gathered from the wild in order to make tea), here is a citation from the magazine, HerbalGram, which we get at the Miller Library. We have this issue and article: The Medicinal Plant Supply Chain: Creating Social and Environmental Sustainability HerbalGram. 2004;64:56-60

2. Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos tea):

I couldn't locate any of this, either. But below is a link to some good information about it.

The Plants for a Future database is one you might find interesting.

3. Citrus aurantium (bitter orange):

Using the Royal Horticulture Society's Plant Finder, I found several sources in Great Britain (!) for cultivars of this plant:

In the process of trying to find this plant, I called a nursery in California. The owner told me that one problem with getting plants like Citrus that do not grow outside in Washington state is that most growers (in California, at least) do not ship plants anymore. So maybe you will have to take a road trip to California!

While I could not find Citrus aurantium, I did find Citrus sinensis. Here is a link to information about this species.

Here is a source for Citrus sinensis (called Valencia orange here).

Here are two sources for Citrus sinensis 'Moro.'

I found many sources for other varieties of C.sinensis using the database Plant Information Online. Select "Sources for Plants & Seeds" and type in "Genus = citrus" and "Species = sinensis." You will get a list of results that are linked to nurseries.

4. The nursery in California also suggested Camellia sinensis as a good plant for tea (made from the flowers). Here is a link to sources for this plant, several of which are in Oregon. I got this list from Plant Information Online, so the link may not be active. If you do not get it, come on in to the library and follow the directions above, searching for "Genus = camellia" and "Species = sinensis." Here are three more sources for Camellia sinensis:

5. You might try the Adopt-a-Plant program sponsored by PlantAmnesty. You can call them at (206) 783-9813 Ext. 0 and ask if you can post a notice that you are looking for these plants. I have always seen plant offers, as opposed to plants sought, but give it a try. The list of offers appears quarterly in their newsletter, which we get at the Miller Library.

I also found a link to a discussion forum about finding tea plants. You can read the postings and try contacting someone. The latest posting was in 2004, but several people indicate that they grow tea, but not what kind.

Finally, I would keep an eye on garden stores and/or indoor plant retailers. They sometimes sell unusual plants when they can get them, but you will have to make a habit of checking back with them.

Season All Season
Date 2008-02-07
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