Narrow-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Description
Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as narrow-leaved paperbark, narrow-leaved tea-tree, narrow-leaved ti-tree, or snow-in-summer, is a species of tree or tall shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Endemic to Australia, it occurs in southeast Queensland and the north coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales where it grows along streams and on swampy flats, and is often the dominant species where it occurs. Melaleuca alternifolia is a small tree to about 7 m (20 ft) with a bushy crown and whitish, papery bark. The leaves are arranged alternately, sometimes scattered or whorled. The leaves are smooth, soft, linear in shape, 10?35 mm (0.4?1 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide.They are also rich in oil with the glands prominent. Flowers occur in white or cream-colored masses of spikes 3?5 cm (1?2 in) long over a short period, mostly spring to early summer, and give the tree an appearance of looking fluffy. The small woody, cup-shaped fruit, 2?3 mm (0.08?0.1 in) in diameter are scattered along the branches. Melaleuca alternifolia was first formally described in 1905 by Joseph Maiden and Ernst Betche as Melaleuca linariifolia var. alternifolia. It was renamed Melaleuca alternifolia in 1925 by Edwin Cheel. The specific epithet (alternifolia) is a botanical term meaning "having leaves that alternate on each side of a stem".
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Myrtales
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Family: Myrtaceae
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Genus: Melaleuca
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