Melaleuca oldfieldii

Melaleuca oldfieldii is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is native to the south-west of Western Australia. It is distinguished by its bright yellow flower heads but its distribution is restricted to one national park.

Melaleuca oldfieldii

Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. oldfieldii
Binomial name
Melaleuca oldfieldii

Description

Melaleuca oldfieldii is a spreading shrub which grows to about 2 m (7 ft) high but sometimes much taller. Its leaves are arranged alternately on the stems, have a short stalk, are oval to elliptic in shape tapering to a point, usually 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long, 3.5–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide and with 5 longitudinal veins.[1]

The flowers are bright yellow and arranged in relatively large heads on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. The heads are up to 35 mm (1 in) in diameter and contain 4 to 9 groups of flowers in threes. The petals are 1.8–3.8 mm (0.07–0.1 in) long and fall off as the flower opens. The stamens are arranged in five bundles around the flower, each bundle containing 8 to 12 stamens. Flowering occurs mainly in November and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long in tight, roughly spherical groups about 25 mm (1 in) in diameter.[1][2]

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca oldfieldii was first described in 1867 by George Bentham in "Flora Australiensis".[3][4] The specific epithet (oldfieldii) is in recognition of the collector Augustus Oldfield who collected this species[1] near the Murchison River.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Melaleuca oldfieldii occurs in the Kalbarri National Park[2] in the Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic region,[5] growing in sand or sandy clay, usually along streams.[6]

Conservation

This species is classified as "Priority Two" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife[5] meaning that is poorly known and from one or a few locations.[7]

Uses

Horticulture

This species has proven difficult to maintain in cultivation except in special conditions[2] but its glossy leaves and attractive yellow flowers indicate its potential as an ornamental.[1] It requires excellent drainage.[8]

Essential oils

The leaves of Melaleuca oldfieldii contain significant quantities of 1,8-cineole.[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. 256. ISBN 9781922137517.
  2. Holliday, Ivan (2004). Melaleucas : a field and garden guide (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Reed New Holland Publishers. pp. 204–205. ISBN 1876334983.
  3. "Melaleuca oldfieldii". APNI. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  4. Mueller, Ferdinand; Bentham, George (1867). Flora Australiensis. Melbourne. p. 150. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  5. "Melaleuca oldfieldii". 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. 396. ISBN 0646402439.
  7. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  8. Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plant:a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2 ed.). Sydney-London: Collins. p. 267. ISBN 0002165759.
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