Melaleuca cucullata

Melaleuca cucullata is a large shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Its species name alludes to the shape of the leaves which resemble miniature academics' hoods.

Melaleuca cucullata
M. cucullata leaves, flowers and fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. cucullata
Binomial name
Melaleuca cucullata

Description

Melaleuca cucullata is dense shrub with arching branches. It grows to a height of about 4.0 m (10 ft) high. Its leaves are sometimes arranged in alternating pairs (decussate) or sometimes alternately along the stem. They are 1.7–5 mm (0.07–0.2 in) long and 1.2–2.6 mm (0.05–0.1 in) wide and thick, fleshy and dished.[1][2]

This species flowers profusely with heads of flowers at the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. The heads contain between 4 and 10 groups of flowers in threes and are about 15–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 15 mm (0.6 in) in diameter. The petals are 1.3–1.5 mm (0.05–0.06 in) long and fall off as the flower opens. The stamens are pure white, arranged in bundles of five around the flower with 5 to 9 stamens per bundle. The main flowering season is spring and the fruit which follow are woody capsules forming a tight oval shape.[1][2]

M. cucullata growing near Ravensthorpe
M. cucullata bark

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first formally described in 1852 by the Russian botanist Nikolai Turczaninow in Bulletin de la Classe physico-mathématique de l'Académie impériale des sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.[3][4] The specific epithet (cucullata) is from the Latin cucullus meaning "hood", referring to the leaves which resemble little hoods.[2]

Distribution and habitat

This melaleuca occurs between the Lake Grace, Stirling Range and Israelite Bay districts in the Coolgardie, Esperance Plains and Mallee biogeographic regions.[5] It grows on clay soils and loam on hillsides and flats.[6]

Conservation status

Melaleuca cucullata is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.[5]

References
  1. Holliday, Ivan (2004). Melaleucas : a field and garden guide (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Reed New Holland Publishers. pp. 76–77. ISBN 1876334983.
  2. Brophy, Joseph J.; Craven, Lyndley A.; Doran, John C. (2013). Melaleucas : their botany, essential oils and uses. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. p. 135. ISBN 9781922137517.
  3. "Melaleuca cucullata". APNI. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  4. Turczaninow, Nikolai (1852). "Melaleuca cucullata". Bulletin de la Classe physico-mathématique de l'Académie impériale des sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg. 10: 343. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  5. "Melaleuca cucullata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  6. Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 393. ISBN 0646402439.
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