Melaleuca capitata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca capitata |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
capitata
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Melaleuca capitata is a type of shrub that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It grows naturally only in New South Wales, Australia. This plant has bark that looks scaly, lots of leaves, and pretty creamy-yellow flowers. These flowers grow in clusters at the ends of its branches during summer.
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What is Melaleuca capitata?
Melaleuca capitata is a shrub that can grow up to about 2 metres (6.6 feet) tall. It can also spread out to about 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) wide. Its younger branches are quite hairy.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are smooth, meaning they have no hairs. They are shaped like narrow ovals, about 10 to 25 millimetres (0.4 to 1 inch) long. They are also thin, about 1 to 3 millimetres (0.04 to 0.1 inches) wide, and they get narrower at the end, forming a sharp point.
The flowers are creamy-yellow. They grow in a short spike or a round cluster at the ends of the branches. Even after the flowers bloom, the branches keep growing. Each cluster usually has 3 to 15 flowers and can be as big as 35 millimetres (1.4 inches) across. Inside each flower, there are 15 to 33 tiny parts called stamens. These stamens are grouped together in five bundles.
When it Flowers and Fruits
Melaleuca capitata flowers between October and December. After the flowers fade, the plant grows fruits. These fruits are woody and shaped like a ball or an urn. They are about 5 to 7 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. The fruits grow in loose groups along the stem.
How it Got its Name
Melaleuca capitata was first officially described in 1924. A scientist named Edwin Cheel wrote about it in a scientific journal. He studied plants that he found in or near what are now Morton and Budawang national parks.
The second part of its name, capitata, comes from a Latin word, caput. This word means "head." It refers to the shape of the flower clusters, which look a bit like heads.
Where it Grows
This melaleuca plant is found in New South Wales, Australia. You can see it between the towns of Bundanoon and Braidwood. It grows in areas like the South Coast and the Central and Southern Tablelands. This includes parts of the southern Blue Mountains. It likes to grow in areas with low, dense shrubs called heath, or in dry sclerophyll forests on sandstone soil.
Growing Melaleuca capitata
Melaleuca capitata is not a very common plant to grow in gardens. However, it can adapt to most types of soil and different growing conditions. It just needs enough water to grow well.
