Melaleuca microphylla

Melaleuca microphylla is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a bushy shrub with small, crowded leaves and bears a close resemblance to the commonly cultivated Melaleuca ericifolia of the eastern states.

Melaleuca microphylla
Melaleuca microphylla growing at Bettys Beach near Albany
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Melaleuca
Species:	M. microphylla
Binomial name
Melaleuca microphylla Sm.

Description

Melaleuca microphylla is a dense, rounded shrub growing to about 4–5 m (10–20 ft) high with glabrous foliage and grey or white papery bark. The leaves are arranged alternately, 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long, 0.3–0.5 mm (0.01–0.02 in) wide, linear to narrow lance-shaped and with a blunt or slightly pointed end.[1]

The flowers are white to creamy yellow and are arranged in small heads on the ends of the branches which continue to grow after flowering. The heads are up to 50 mm (2 in) long, 22 mm (0.9 in) in diameter and contain between 10 and 50 individual flowers. The petals are 1.0–2.2 mm (0.04–0.09 in) long and fall off as the flower matures. The stamens are arranged in five bundles around the flowers with 4 to 10 stamens in each bundle. The main flowering season is spring and is followed by fruit which are woody, cup-shaped capsules, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) in diameter, arranged in loose clusters along the stem.[1][2]

M. microphylla leaves and flowers

M. microphylla fruit

M. microphylla bark

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first formally described in 1812 by James Edward Smith in The Cyclopedia[3] from a specimen "gathered near King George's Sound, on the West Coast of New Holland, by Mr. A. Menzies".[4] The specific epithet (microphylla) is from the Ancient Greek words mikros meaning little[5]^:488 and phyllon meaning "leaf"[5]^:466 referring to the small leaves of this melaleuca.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Melaleuca microphylla occurs in and between the Manjimup and Manypeaks districts[1][2] in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions.[6] It grows in sandy clay near swamps and creeks.[7]

Conservation

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

Uses

Horticulture

This species is often used as a hedge or screen, growing successfully in most soils and situations.[2][8]

Essential oils

The oil from the leaves of this species consists mainly of monoterpenes.[1]

References

1. 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. 243. ISBN 9781922137517.
2. Holliday, Ivan (2004). Melaleucas : a field and garden guide (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Reed New Holland Publishers. pp. 188–189. ISBN 1876334983.
3. "Melaleuca microphylla". APNI. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
4. Rees, Abraham (ed).; Smith, James Edward (1812). The Cyclopædia; or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature Volume 24. Philadelphia: Samuel F. Bradford. hdl:2027/njp.32101078163480. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
5. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
6. "Melaleuca microphylla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
7. Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 395. ISBN 0646402439.
8. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants; a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2 ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 266. ISBN 0002165759.