Melaleuca oldfieldii

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Melaleuca oldfieldii
Status DECF P2.svg
Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. oldfieldii
Binomial name
Melaleuca oldfieldii
Synonyms [1]

Myrtoleucodendron oldfieldii(F.Muell.) Kuntze

Melaleuca oldfieldii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is native to the south-west of Western Australia. It is distinguished by its bright yellow flower heads but its distribution is restricted to one national park.

Contents

Description

Melaleuca oldfieldii is a spreading shrub which grows to about 2 m (7 ft) high but sometimes much taller. Its leaves are arranged alternately on the stems, have a short stalk, are oval to elliptic in shape tapering to a point, usually 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long, 3.5–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide and with 5 longitudinal veins. [2]

The flowers are bright yellow and arranged in relatively large heads on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. The heads are up to 35 mm (1 in) in diameter and contain 4 to 9 groups of flowers in threes. The petals are 1.8–3.8 mm (0.07–0.1 in) long and fall off as the flower opens. The stamens are arranged in five bundles around the flower, each bundle containing 8 to 12 stamens. Flowering occurs mainly in November and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long in tight, roughly spherical groups about 25 mm (1 in) in diameter. [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca oldfieldii was first described in 1867 by George Bentham in "Flora Australiensis". [4] [5] The specific epithet (oldfieldii) is in recognition of the collector Augustus Oldfield who collected this species [2] near the Murchison River. [4]

Distribution and habitat

Melaleuca oldfieldii occurs in the Kalbarri National Park [3] in the Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic region, [6] growing in sand or sandy clay, usually along streams. [7]

Conservation

This species is classified as "Priority Two" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife [6] meaning that is poorly known and from one or a few locations. [8]

Uses

Horticulture

This species has proven difficult to maintain in cultivation except in special conditions [3] but its glossy leaves and attractive yellow flowers indicate its potential as an ornamental. [2] It requires excellent drainage. [9]

Essential oils

The leaves of Melaleuca oldfieldii contain significant quantities of 1,8-cineole. [2]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Melaleuca leiopyxis</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Melaleuca incana <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> tenella</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

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<i>Melaleuca megacephala</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Melaleuca micromera</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Melaleuca microphylla</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Melaleuca psammophila</i> Species of plant

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References

  1. 1 2 "Melaleuca oldfieldii". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Brophy, Joseph J.; Craven, Lyndley A.; Doran, John C. (2013). Melaleucas : their botany, essential oils and uses. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. p. 256. ISBN   9781922137517.
  3. 1 2 3 Holliday, Ivan (2004). Melaleucas : a field and garden guide (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Reed New Holland Publishers. pp. 204–205. ISBN   1876334983.
  4. 1 2 "Melaleuca oldfieldii". APNI. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  5. Bentham, George (1867). Flora Australiensis. Vol. 3. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 150. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Melaleuca oldfieldii". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  7. Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 396. ISBN   0646402439.
  8. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  9. Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plant:a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2 ed.). Sydney-London: Collins. p. 267. ISBN   0002165759.