Melaleuca squarrosa
Scented paperbark | |
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Melaleuca squarrosa at Langwarrin, Victoria | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Melaleuca |
Species: | M. squarrosa
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Binomial name | |
Melaleuca squarrosa | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Melaleuca squarrosa, commonly known as scented paperbark, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to south eastern parts of Australia, especially Tasmania. It is an attractive shrub with dense foliage and arching branches and it flowers profusely in spring or early summer, bearing spikes of perfumed yellow to white flowers.
Description
Melaleuca squarrosa is a shrub, sometimes a small tree growing to 0.5–10 m (2–30 ft) high, with white or grey papery bark. Its leaves are arranged in alternating pairs (
The cream-coloured flowers are arranged in spikes at the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. Each spike contains 4 to 20 individual flowers and is up to 22 mm (0.9 in) in diameter and 40 mm (2 in) long. The petals are 2–2.7 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and fall off as the flower matures. There are five bundles of
Taxonomy and naming
Melaleuca squarrosa was first formally described in 1802 by James Edward Smith in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London[6] who acknowledged James Donn as follows:
"I am indebted to the Rev. Mr. Davies, F.L.S. Vice-Master of Trinity College London, for specimens of this shrub, which was raised in the Botanic Garden of the University by Mr. Donn, from seeds brought from Port Jackson, and flowered in 1799."[7]
The specific epithet (squarrosa) is a Latin word meaning "rough with stiff bracts, leaves or scales".[8]
Distribution and habitat
Melaleuca squarrosa
Use in horticulture
This melaleuca is a useful plant as a screen plant because of its neat, dense foliage and attractive, sweetly scented flowers.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Melaleuca squarrosa". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9781922137517.
- ^ ISBN 1876334983.
- ^ a b c "Melaleuca squarrosa". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney; PlantNet. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Melaleuca squarrosa". Government of Victoria; Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Melaleuca squarrosa". APNI. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ Smith, James Edward (1802). Transactions of the Linnean Society (Volume 6). London. pp. 300–301. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 670.
- ^ "Melaleuca squarrosa" (PDF). Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Wildlife and Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ISBN 0002165759.