Melaleuca subulata

Melaleuca subulata is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to south eastern Australia. (Some Australian state herbaria continue to use the name Callistemon subulatus).[3] It is a small, spreading shrub with hard bark, dense foliage, cylindrical leaves and spikes of dark crimson flowers in summer.

Melaleuca subulata
M. subulata in San Francisco Botanical Garden
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. subulata
Binomial name
Melaleuca subulata
Synonyms[2]

Callistemon subulatus Cheel

Description

Melaleuca subulata is a shrub growing to 1–2 m (3–7 ft) high with hard, fibrous bark. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are 18–50 mm (0.7–2 in) long, 1–3.1 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide, cylindrical or shaped like a bradawl.[4][5]

The flowers are a deep crimson colour and are arranged in spikes at the end of, or around the branches which continue to grow after flowering. The spikes are 30–60 mm (1–2 in) in diameter and 40–80 mm (2–3 in) long with 20 to 80 individual flowers. The petals are 2.5–5.2 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and fall off as the flower ages and there are 16-27 stamens in each flower. Flowering occurs from November to May and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules, 3–5.1 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) in diameter.[4][5]

M. subulata in the Australian National Botanic Gardens
M. subulata foliage

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca subulata was first named in 2006 by Lyndley Craven in Novon when Callistemon subulatus was transferred to the present genus.[1][6] Callistemon subulatus was first formally described by botanist Edwin Cheel in 1925 in Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales Series.[7][8] The specific epithet (subulata) refers to the subulate shape of the leaves.[4]

Callistemon subulatus is regarded as a synonym of Melaleuca subulata by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.[9]

Distribution and habitat

This melaleuca occurs in and between the Heathcote and Mittagong districts in New South Wales and East Gippsland in Victoria. It grows in creek beds and on the banks of streams in forests.[4][5]

Use in horticulture

Melaleuca subulata is commonly cultivated because of it abundant, attractive flowers. It is hardy but benefits from the application of low-phosphorus fertiliser.[10][11]

References
  1. "Melaleuca subulata". APNI. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  2. "Melaleuca subulata". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. Udovicic, Frank; Spencer, Roger (2012). "New combinations in Callistemon (Myrtaceae)" (PDF). Muelleria. 30 (1): 23–25. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  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. p. 351. ISBN 9781922137517.
  5. Spencer, Roger; Lumley, Peter. "Callistemon subulatus". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney: Plantnet. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  6. Craven, Lyn A. (2006). "New Combinations in Melaleuca for Australian Species of Callistemon (Myrtaceae)". Novon. 16 (4): 473. doi:10.3417/1055-3177(2006)16[468:NCIMFA]2.0.CO;2. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  7. "Callistemon subulatus". APNI. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  8. Cheel, Edwin (1925). "Two New Species of Callistemon with notes on certain other species". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 1: 259. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  9. "Callistemon subulatus". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  10. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 194. ISBN 0002165759.
  11. Howes, Jeff. "Callistemon subulatus". Australian Native Plants Society NSW. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
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