Melaleuca scalena

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Melaleuca scalena
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. scalena
Binomial name
Melaleuca scalena

Melaleuca scalena is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south west of Western Australia. Plants of this species were previously included in Melaleuca uncinata or broombush until a review of that species in 2004. Its leaves are narrow cylinders, the flowers in small yellow heads and the fruits tightly packed together in oval clusters. This species is very similar to Melaleuca hamata but the plants have a comparatively scruffy or less strong and healthy appearance.

Description

Melaleuca scalena is a shrub growing to 3 m (10 ft) tall with peeling, papery bark. Its leaves are 19–85 mm (0.7–3 in) long, 0.8–1.5 mm (0.03–0.06 in) wide, roughly circular in cross section, with the end tapering to a point and often with a short bristle.[2]

The flowers are pale yellow and arranged in heads containing 5 to 14 groups of flowers in threes. There are 5

capsules packed closely together so that they appear as a single structure, 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and slightly less in diameter.[2]

Habit near Babakin
Bark

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca scalena was first formally described in 2004 by Lyndley Craven and Brendan Lepschi in Australian Systematic Botany from a specimen collected 27 kilometres (20 mi) north-west of Babakin.[3][4] The specific epithet (scalena) is from the Latin word meaning "unequal"[5] referring to the impoverished appearance of this species compared to Melaleuca hamata.[2]

Distribution and habitat

This melaleuca occurs in and between the

biogeographic regions. It grows in gravel, sand or loam on flats and drainage lines near salt lakes.[6]

Conservation

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

References

  1. ^ "Melaleuca scalena". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  2. ^
    ISBN 9781922137517
    .
  3. doi:10.1071/SB04001
    . Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Melaleuca scalena". APNI. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  5. ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 683.
  6. ^
    Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
    .
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Melaleuca_scalena&oldid=1139854671"