Melaleuca diosmifolia

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Melaleuca diosmifolia
Melaleuca diosmifolia flowers.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. diosmifolia
Binomial name
Melaleuca diosmifolia
Synonyms [1]
  • Melaleuca chloranthaBonpl.
  • Melaleuca foliosaDum.Cours.
  • Myrtoleucodendron diosmifolium(Andrews) Kuntze
Habit on Mount Melville in Albany Melaeluca diosmifolia habit.jpg
Habit on Mount Melville in Albany

Melaleuca diosmifolia is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has also become naturalised in Victoria (Australia) Australia. It is unusual for its genus in that the flowers are green, which partly accounts for its popularity as a garden plant. It is only distantly related to Melaleuca diosmatifolia although its species name has a similar etymology.

Contents

Description

Melaleuca diosmifolia is a dense shrub sometimes growing to a height of 4 m (10 ft). The leaves are arranged alternately, narrow oval or elliptical in shape, 4–13 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long, 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, crowded close together and lacking a stalk so that the leaf blade attaches directly to the stem.

The flowers are arranged in heads near the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering and sometimes in the upper leaf axils. There are 25 to 30 individual flowers in each head, the heads up to 50 mm (2.0 in) long and 40 mm (1.6 in) in diameter. The flowers are bright lime-green or pale yellow-green and appear in spring and early summer. The petals are 3.5–4.8 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and fall off as the flowers age. The stamens are arranged in bundles of five around the flower, with 3 to 5 stamens in each bundle. The fruit are woody capsules up to 8 mm (0.3 in) long and 10 mm (0.39 in) in diameter and form clusters around the stem. [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca diosmifolia was first formally described in 1807 by Henry Cranke Andrews in The Botanist's Repository for New, and Rare Plants. [4] [5] The specific epithet (diosmifolia) is a reference to the similarity of the leaves of this species and those of Diosma . [2]

Distribution and habitat

Melaleuca diosmifolia occurs near the coast of Western Australia between Cape Riche and Albany [3] in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren biogeographic regions. [6] It grows in shallow, sandy soils in granite outcrops. [7] This species has also become naturalised in the Otway Ranges [3] district of Victoria, where it is considered an environmental weed. [8] [9]

Conservation status

Melaleuca diosmifolia is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. [6]

Use in horticulture

This species is well known in cultivation. It is a hardy and adaptable species in most soils and situations except that it will not survive frosts. It can be pruned to make a useful and attractive screen or hedge. [2] [10]

Related Research Articles

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

Melaleuca armillaris, commonly known as bracelet honey myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is native to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania in south-eastern Australia. It is a hardy, commonly grown species, often used as a fast-growing screen plant, but it also has the potential to become a weed. It has become naturalised in Western Australia and parts of Victoria. In its natural state, it grows on coastal cliffs and along estuaries.

<i>Melaleuca linariifolia</i> Species of tree

Melaleuca linariifolia is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is commonly known as snow-in-summer, narrow-leaved paperbark, flax-leaved paperbark and in the language of the Gadigal people as budjur. A hardy plant, it flowers prolifically in late spring or summer, making it a popular garden shrub or small tree in temperate places. Melaleuca trichostachya is a similar species but its leaves are arranged differently and the fruits have projecting valves.

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

Melaleuca trichophylla is a shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Its pink or purple flowers appear from August to December in its native range. It has long been cultivated.

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

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

Melaleuca fulgens, commonly known as the scarlet honey myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. It is notable for its showy orange, red or purple flowers, unusual foliage and fruit, and is a popular garden plant. It is a member of Melaleuca, a large and diverse genus whose members range from large trees such as M. quinquenervia, to small shrubs.

<i>Melaleuca ericifolia</i> Species of tree

Melaleuca ericifolia, commonly known as swamp paperbark, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and the genus Melaleuca, native to south-eastern Australia. It is a rather variable species and some specimens resemble Melaleuca armillaris but its papery bark and smaller, more prolific flower heads distinguish it from that species. It often grows in swampy areas and the draining and clearing of these has reduced the numbers of the species, especially around Port Philip Bay near Melbourne. It is also similar to Melaleuca pustulata, a Tasmanian endemic, but that species only grows in dry heath.

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

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.

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

Melaleuca pulchella, commonly known as claw flower and claw honey-myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is one of only two species of Melaleuca to have two kinds of stamens. The outer stamens are longer and curved, giving the appearance of a claw to the flower. It is a hardy shrub flowering over a long period, and has been a popular garden plant for many years.

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

Melaleuca hypericifolia, commonly known as hillock bush, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, genus Melaleuca and is endemic to New South Wales in Australia. It has large, orange to red flower spikes and consequently is a commonly cultivated species. In 1797, James Edward Smith described the plant as:

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

Melaleuca decussata, commonly known as cross-leaf honey-myrtle or totem poles, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae native to South Australia and both native and naturalised in Victoria. It is an adaptable shrub, grown in many parts of Australia for its attractive foliage but is regarded as an environmental weed in parts of Victoria.

<i>Melaleuca minutifolia</i> Species of tree

Melaleuca minutifolia, commonly known as teatree is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to northern Australia. As suggested by its name, it has tiny leaves but it also produces creamy white to white flowers throughout the year in its native range.

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

Melaleuca cheelii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland. It is a shrub or tree to 10 m (33 ft) with white flowers and papery bark. It has been classified as "near threatened" by the government of Queensland.

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

Melaleuca diosmatifolia, commonly known as rosy paperbark and pink honey-myrtle is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is native to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It was formerly known as Melaleuca erubescens but is not closely related to Melaleuca diosmifolia although the species name has the same meaning. It has pointed, non-prickly leaves and cylindrical spikes of pink or purple flowers.

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

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.

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

Melaleuca incana, commonly known as grey honey-myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia and is naturalised in the south of Victoria in Australia. It is commonly grown as a garden plant and produces large numbers of white or creamy yellow flowers, sometimes highly scented, in spring.

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.

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

Melaleuca micromera, commonly known as wattle honey-myrtle, is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a rare species with unusual foliage and profuse small yellow flowerheads, making it a plant that is suitable for cultivation, if only to protect it from extinction.

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

Melaleuca microphylla is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a bushy shrub with small, crowded leaves and bears a close resemblance to the commonly cultivated Melaleuca ericifolia of the eastern states.

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

Melaleuca pentagona is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a showy, medium-sized shrub which produces large numbers of pink flowers in spring. There are three varieties recognised, one of which has been known in cultivation for many years.

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

Melaleuca ringens is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It shares some features with Melaleuca diosmifolia but has creamy yellow flower spikes and a lower, more spreading form.

References

  1. 1 2 "Melaleuca diosmifolia". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 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. 150. 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. 96–97. ISBN   1876334983.
  4. "Melaleuca diosmifolia". APNI. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  5. Andrews, Henry C. (1807). The Botanist's Repository for New, and Rare Plants. Vol. 7. p. 98. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Melaleuca diosmifolia". 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. 393. ISBN   0646402439.
  8. "Weeds of the surf coast shire". Surf coast shire. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  9. "Melaleuca diosmifolia". Queensland government: weeds of Australia. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  10. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 263. ISBN   0002165759.