Melaleuca strobophylla

Melaleuca strobophylla
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Myrtales
Family:Myrtaceae
Genus:Melaleuca
Species: M. strobophylla
Binomial name
Melaleuca strobophylla
Barlow[1]

Melaleuca strobophylla is a shrub or small tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has papery bark, sharply pointed leaves and rather long spikes of creamy white flowers in summer.

Description

Melaleuca strobophylla is large shrub or small, spreading tree which grows to a height of 4–12 m (10–40 ft) with a bushy crown and white, papery bark. The leaves are arranged alternately, 4.5–12.5 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long, wide, flat but twisted, narrow elliptic in shape and taper to a sharp point.[2][3]

The creamy-white flowers are arranged in spikes at the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering and sometimes also in the upper leaf axils. The spikes are up to 20 mm (0.8 in) in diameter and contain 8 to 23 pairs of flowers. The outer surface of the flower cup (the hypanthium) is hairy and the five petals surrounding it are 2.2–3 mm (0.09–0.1 in) long and fall off as the flower matures. The stamens are arranged in bundles of five around the flower, with 16 to 27 stamens in each bundle. The flowers appear between January and April and also in November and are followed by fruit which are woody capsules 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long, mostly scattered along the branches.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca strobophylla was first formally described in 1988 by Bryan Barlow in Australian Systematic Botany from a specimen located near Ravensthorpe.[4][1] The specific epithet (strobophylla) is from the Ancient Greek words strobos meaning "twisting" or "turning"[5]:821 and phyllon meaning “leaf”[5]:605 referring to the twist in the leaves.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This melaleuca occurs in and between the Eneabba, Three Springs and Yalgoo districts.[3] It is found on sandy silt soils in depressions, watercourses and the margins of salt lakes.[6]

Conservation

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

Use in horticulture

This is a useful species for growing in heavier, saline soils in drier, winter rainfall areas.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Melaleuca strobophylla". APNI. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Holliday, Ivan (2004). Melaleucas : a field and garden guide (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Reed New Holland Publishers. p. 344. ISBN 1876334983.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Brophy, Joseph J.; Craven, Lyndley A.; Doran, John C. (2013). Melaleucas : their botany, essential oils and uses. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. ISBN 9781922137517.
  4. ↑ Barlow, Bryan; Cowley, Kirsten (1988). "Contributions to a revision of (Myrtaceae): 4–6". Australian Systematic Botany. 1 (2): 116. doi:10.1071/SB9880095. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  6. 1 2 "Melaleuca strobophylla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
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