Of the 215 species of Melaleuca, about 210 are endemic to Australia. They range in size from low ground covers to large trees.

M. hypericifolia Hillock Bush

Melaleuca trees mostly belong to the paperbark group. The bark is very distinctive and consists of thin, white cream or brown, paper-like layers. On the lower part of the trunks, the outer layers become loose and hang in flaky strips.

The leaves are mainly alternate, entire, usually flat and vary in size from minute and scale-like to broadly-lanceolate up to 20 cm long. Some are aromatic when crushed and several species contain valuable essential oils.

M. pulchella Claw Honey-myrtle

Many of the shrub-like melaleucas are know by the common name of honey-myrtle because their nectar-rich flowers are an important part of the diet of honey-eating birds and mammals.

While many species occur in swampy ground, others may be found in rocky outcrops, inland sandplains or dry forests and woodlands.

The flowers can be extremely profuse and come in a wonderful range of colours including white, cream, pink, mauve, red, yellow, orange and green. They vary in flower-type and the colourful stamens may be arranged in rounded or semi-globular clusters, bottle-brush type formations or claw-like bundles.

The fruit is a woody capsule often crowded in spikes along the old wood.

Did You Know?
Melaleuca comes from the Greek word melas, black and leuko, white and is thought to refer to the white branches and blackened trunks, possible from fire.

M. quinquenervia Broad-leaved Paperbark

For thousands of years Aborigines have used the thick papery bark for a variety of purposes, such as providing cover for their shelters and material for wrapping food and water-carrying baskets. It was also used for wrapping babies, as bedding and to construct rough canoes.

The ability of Melaleuca bark to retain water makes it in demand for lining hanging baskets for gardening. The partial removal of bark does not harm the tree unless followed by fire.

Several species of Melaleuca produce essential oils, the most important being Tea-tree oil from M. alternifolia. The oil which is extracted from the foliage by steam distillation is pale lemon-coloured and has a nutmeg aroma. It is of value for its antiseptic qualities as well as being effective against many fungal infections such as thrush, tinea and ringworm.

The fresh leafy tips of young paperbark trees are used by Aborigines in northern Australia for the treatment of headaches, coughs and colds. They are either crushed in the hands and sniffed or used as a steam inhalant.

Planting Information
Tree-sized melaleucas make very desirable garden specimens and are useful for screening and windbreaks.

M. armillaris Bracelet Honey-myrtle

Unlike, many native plants, paperbarks will tolerate moist sites which are poorly drained. Flower production is best in sunny positions.

They are generally frost hardy, have the ability to withstand smog and urban pollution and some degree of coastal exposure.

M. elliptica Granite Bottlebrush

Shrub-sized Melaleucas are also extremely adaptable in cultivation. Different species are variously suitable for hedges, screens, specimen plants, rockeries, ground cover and containers.

Those from swampy habitats will tolerate poorly drained sites, while during dry periods have considerable drought resistance. The few that originate from drier situations do best in well drained soils.

Most species benefit from light applications of slow-release fertiliser.

Propagation: From ripe seed which usually germinates readily within 30 days.

Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad-leaved Paperbark

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