Melaleuca biconvexa
Melaleuca biconvexa | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Melaleuca |
Species: | M. biconvexa
|
Binomial name | |
Melaleuca biconvexa |
Melaleuca biconvexa is a tree or shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to coastal areas of New South Wales. The leaves have a distinctive, wing-like shape and the flowers are in white or cream-coloured heads at the ends of its branches. It is classified as a vulnerable species.
Description
Melaleuca biconvexa grows to a height of 3–10 m (10–30 ft) (sometimes to 20 m (70 ft)) and has fibrous to papery bark. Its leaves are arranged in alternating pairs (
The flowers are cream to white, at or near the ends of the branches in heads of 2 to 10 flowers, the heads up to 17 millimetres (0.7 in) in diameter. The
Taxonomy and naming
Melaleuca boconvexa was first formally described in 1984 by Norman Byrnes in the journal Austrobaileya.[5][6] The specific epithet (biconvexa) refers to the shape of the leaves in cross section.[3]
The name
Distribution and habitat
This melaleuca occurs in scattered populations in coastal areas from Port Macquarie to Jervis Bay. It grows in damp places, often near streams or low-lying areas, often in eucalypt forest on sandy alluvial soil, on low slopes and sheltered places.[2][3][4]
Conservation status
Melaleuca biconvexa is able to resprout after fire but faces a number of threats to its survival including land clearing, alteration of drainage patterns and swamp reclamation, grazing and trampling by stock and competition from noxious aquatic weeds such as Sagittaria platyphylla. Most populations are on private land, making conservation efforts difficult and the species has been classified as vulnerable under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.[4]
-
Habit in Port Macquarie
-
Flower detail
-
Bark
References
- ^ "Melaleuca biconvexa". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Wilson, Peter G. "Melaleuca biconvexa". PlantNET flora on-line. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9781922137517.
- ^ a b c d "Biconvex paperbark profile". NSW Government: Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ^ "Melaleuca biconvexa". APNI. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ Byrnes, Norman B. (1984). "A revision of Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) in northern and eastern Australia, 1". Austrobaileya. 2 (1): 74. Retrieved 12 October 2021.