Melaleuca depauperata facts for kids

Melaleuca depauperata is a type of shrub that belongs to the myrtle family. It grows only in the southwestern part of Western Australia. This plant has small, thick leaves and pretty purple to pink flowers. These flowers grow on short stems along its branches.

What Does the Melaleuca Depauperata Look Like?

The Melaleuca depauperata is a thick, bushy shrub. It can grow up to 2 m (7 ft) tall and wide. Its bark feels like fiber.

Its leaves are arranged one after another around the stem. They are about 1.8–5 mm (0.07–0.2 in) long. They are also 1.0–3.0 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide. The leaves are flat and somewhat thick. They are shaped like an oval. Usually, they have a blunt end, but sometimes they have a sharp tip.

The flowers are purple, pink, or violet. They grow in groups of 4 to 17 flowers. As they get older, the flowers turn white. These flower groups grow where the leaves meet the stem. They have a short stalk. Each group is about 15 mm (0.6 in) across.

This plant usually flowers from September to January. The best time to see them is in October and November. After flowering, the plant produces fruit. These fruits are round, woody capsules. They are about 3.4 mm (0.1 in) long. They grow in loose bunches.

Where Did Its Name Come From?

A Russian botanist named Nikolai Turczaninow first described this plant. He did this in 1852. The plant's scientific name is depauperata. This word comes from Latin. It might mean "poor" or "lacking". This could be because the first plant he studied had only a few flowers.

Where Does This Plant Grow?

The Melaleuca depauperata grows in Western Australia. You can find it inland from the Stirling Range. It grows as far as Wagin and east to Muntadgin. It also grows in the Peak Charles National Park.

This plant likes sandy and clay soils. It often grows on flat ground and along roadsides. It is found in several different natural areas. These include the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, and Mallee regions.

Is It Endangered?

The Melaleuca depauperata is not considered to be in danger. The Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife lists it as "not threatened." This means there are enough of these plants in the wild.