Melaleuca apodocephala facts for kids

Melaleuca apodocephala is a special plant from the myrtle family. It grows only in the southwest part of Western Australia. This plant is a small, bushy shrub. It has grey-green leaves and bark that feels like cork. In summer, it bursts with many creamy-yellow flowers along its branches.

What Does This Plant Look Like?

Melaleuca apodocephala is usually a short, bushy plant. It can grow up to 4 cm (2 in)^* tall, but often it's much smaller. Its leaves are grey-green and smooth. They are shaped like thin lines, about 4–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long and 0.7–1.7 mm (0.03–0.07 in) wide. The leaves grow one after another along the stems. Their tips are pointed but not sharp or prickly.

The flowers are creamy-white with yellow parts called stamens. They grow in round groups along the branches. Each group is about 12 mm (0.5 in) across. It can have up to 15 individual flowers. The main time for flowering is in summer.

After the flowers, the plant grows woody fruits. These fruits are like small capsules, about 3–5.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. They also grow in nearly round groups around the stem. Over time, these fruit groups become part of the corky branches.

How It Got Its Name

The plant Melaleuca apodocephala was first officially described in 1852. This was done by a scientist named Nikolai Turczaninow. The second part of its name, apodocephala, comes from old Greek words. Apodus means "sessile," which means "sitting directly" or "without a stalk." -cephalus means "headed." This name describes how the fruit capsules sit directly on the stem without a stalk.

Where Does It Grow?

This melaleuca plant grows in the southwest of Western Australia. You can find it in areas like the Stirling Range and near Scaddan. It likes to grow in sandy soil, rocky clay, or loam on limestone cliffs. It can also be found in salty dips, sand dunes, and low, wet areas called swales.

Protecting This Plant

The government of Western Australia keeps track of plants and animals. They have classified Melaleuca apodocephala as "not threatened." This means it is not in danger of disappearing.