Melaleuca megacephala | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Melaleuca |
Species: | M. megacephala |
Binomial name | |
Melaleuca megacephala | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Myrtoleucodendron megacephalum(F.Muell.) Kuntze |
Melaleuca megacephala is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is native to the south-west of Western Australia. It is distinguished by its large, hemispherical heads of yellow and white flowers on the ends of the branches and the overlapping brown bracts under them.
Melaleuca megacephala is an erect, bushy shrub with rough bark and brittle branches which grows to 3 m (10 ft) high and 0.6 m (2 ft) wide. Its leaves are arranged alternately on the stems, oval to elliptic in shape, concave, 5.5–20.5 mm (0.2–0.8 in) long, 3.5–10.5 mm (0.1–0.4 in) wide and with 3 to 5 longitudinal veins. [2]
The flowers are arranged in hemispherical heads, mostly on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. Papery brown, overlapping bracts surround the flower buds and remain under the open flowers. The filaments of the stamens are white but the anthers on their ends are yellow or cream coloured, giving the appearance of pale yellow flowers. The heads contain 4 to 12 groups of flowers in threes and are up to 50 mm (2 in) wide. The petals are 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and fall off as the flower matures. The stamens are arranged in five bundles around the flower, each bundle usually containing 12 to 16 stamens. Flowering occurs from June to November but mainly in early spring and the fruit which follow are woody, cup shaped capsules 4.5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long that are clustered along the stem. [2] [3] [4]
Melaleuca megacephala was first formally described in 1862 by Ferdinand von Mueller in "Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae". [5] [6] The specific epithet (megacephala) is derived from the Ancient Greek words μέγας (mégas) meaning “large” or "great" [7] : 461 and κεφαλή (kephalḗ) meaning "head", [7] : 399 referring to the large heads of flowers of this species. [2]
This melaleuca occurs in the Geraldton and Kalbarri districts [2] [3] in the Geraldton Sandplains and Yalgoo biogeographic regions [8] growing in sand on sand plains and rocky hills. [9]
This species is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. [8]
Although not common in cultivation, this species has been known in horticulture for a long time. It is hardy in well-drained soil and responds well to pruning to ensure good flower set in the following season. [3] [10]
The leaves of M. megacephala contain significant quantities of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.
Melaleuca nematophylla, commonly known as wiry honey-myrtle is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is one of the showiest melaleucas when in flower in early spring, is easily grown and has unusual needle-like foliage. As a result, it is relatively common in cultivation in temperate parts of Australia.
Calothamnus chrysanthereus , commonly known as claw flower is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with needle-shaped leaves crowded on the ends of the branches and bright red flowers in spring.
Melaleuca wilsonii, commonly known as Wilson's honey-myrtle or violet honey-myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, native to parts of South Australia and Victoria. It is a shrub with narrow, pointed leaves and heads of purplish-pink flowers on the sides of the branches. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils, frost hardy and often cultivated.
Melaleuca leiocarpa, commonly known as pungent honey-myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is native to arid areas in parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It is an erect or branching shrub distinguished by its prickly foliage, yellowish flowers and, for a melaleuca, unusually large, smooth, roughly spherical fruits.
Melaleuca bisulcata is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a relatively small area on the west coast of Western Australia. It is difficult to distinguish this species from Melaleuca psammophila except on differences in the shape of the calyx lobes.
Melaleuca calothamnoides is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a relatively small area on the west coast of Western Australia. It has attractive red and green flowering spikes and soft foliage but has proven to be difficult to grow in gardens.
Melaleuca cardiophylla, commonly known as tangling melaleuca or umbrella bush is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the west and south-west of Western Australia. It is a dense, prickly shrub with heart-shaped leaves, stamens that are joined in unusually long claw-like bundles, and distinctive, warty fruits.
Melaleuca concreta is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. The species name (concreta) refers to the way the fruits are tightly packed together.
Melaleuca depressa is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, bushy shrub with clusters of yellow or cream flowers on the ends of its branches in spring.
Melaleuca eleuterostachya is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to Western Australia and South Australia. It is a shrub or tree with arching branches, narrow leaves and small spikes of cream or white flowers.
Melaleuca filifolia, commonly called wiry honey-myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a woody, twiggy shrub with needle-shaped leaves, greenish flower buds, pink "pom-pom" flower heads and spherical clusters of fruits.
Melaleuca glaberrima is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a dense, spreading shrub with needle shaped, but not sharp leaves and profuse pink or mauve flowers.
Melaleuca lasiandra is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is native to the northern inland of Australia. Its foliage is covered with soft, silky hairs giving the leaves a silvery-grey appearance and even the filaments of the stamens are hairy.
Melaleuca linophylla is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is native to the north-west of Western Australia. It is a bushy shrub with narrow leaves and spikes of cream-coloured flowers in spring. It is distinguished by its fruits which are much more urn-shaped than those of other melaleucas.
Melaleuca pauperiflora, commonly known as boree, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is native to the southern parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It is distinguished by its short, thick leaves and small but profuse heads of white or cream flowers. There are three subspecies.
Melaleuca psammophila is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small shrub with narrow leaves, heads of purple, pink or mauve flowers and clusters of woody fruit. It is similar to M. bisulcata but differs from that species in characters such as the shape of its fruit, leaves and buds but like that species is an attractive, profusely flowering shrub suitable for cultivation as a garden plant.
Melaleuca sclerophylla is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is distinguished by its unusual leaves which are rough, leathery and covered with small, warty lumps and by its many purple heads of flowers in early spring.
Calothamnus longissimus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, spreading shrub with unusually long, fine leaves and which produces clusters of red flowers in spring.
Phymatocarpus porphyrocephalus is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It resembles many small species of Melaleuca, mainly differing in the way its anthers are attached at the top of the stamens. In Phymatocarpus they are attached at their base and open at the other end through two slits. It is a shrub with many small heads of pink to purple flowers fading to white, often covering the plant for several weeks in spring.
Pimelea aeruginosa is a species of small shrub in the family Thymelaeaceae. It is a small shrub with yellow flowers and is endemic to Western Australia.