Melaleuca diosmifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca diosmifolia |
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| Foliage, flowers and fruit of M. diosmifolia | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Melaleuca
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| Species: |
diosmifolia
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Melaleuca diosmifolia is a unique plant from the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It naturally grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. However, it has also started growing on its own in Victoria (Australia). This plant is special because its flowers are green, which is quite rare for its type. This green color is one reason why people like to grow it in their gardens.
Contents
What Melaleuca diosmifolia Looks Like
Melaleuca diosmifolia is a thick, bushy shrub. It can grow up to about 4 meters (13 feet) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are narrow and oval-shaped. They are about 4 to 13 millimeters (0.16 to 0.51 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.20 inches) wide. The leaves grow very close together on the stem. They don't have a small stem (stalk) connecting them to the branch. Instead, they attach directly.
The flowers grow in clusters near the ends of the branches. These branches keep growing even after the flowers appear. Sometimes, flowers also grow where the upper leaves meet the stem. Each cluster has about 25 to 30 individual flowers. These clusters can be up to 50 millimeters (2 inches) long. They can also be up to 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) across.
The flowers are a bright lime-green or a pale yellow-green color. You can usually see them in spring and early summer. The petals are small, about 3.5 to 4.8 millimeters (0.14 to 0.19 inches) long. They fall off as the flowers get older. Inside the flowers, there are groups of stamens. Stamens are the parts that make pollen. There are five groups of stamens around each flower. Each group has 3 to 5 stamens.
Fruit of the Plant
After the flowers, the plant grows woody fruits. These fruits are called capsules. They can be up to 8 millimeters (0.31 inches) long. They can also be up to 10 millimeters (0.39 inches) wide. These capsules form in clusters around the stem.
How Melaleuca diosmifolia Got Its Name
The plant Melaleuca diosmifolia was first officially described in 1807. This was done by a person named Henry Cranke Andrews. He wrote about it in a book called The Botanist's Repository for New, and Rare Plants.
The second part of its scientific name, diosmifolia, tells us something about its leaves. It means that its leaves look similar to those of another plant called Diosma.
Where This Plant Grows
Melaleuca diosmifolia grows naturally near the coast of Western Australia. You can find it between Cape Riche and Albany. It prefers shallow, sandy soils. It often grows near granite rocks.
This plant has also started growing in new places. For example, it is now found in the Otway Ranges area of Victoria. In this new area, it is sometimes seen as a plant that spreads too much.
Conservation Status
The government of Western Australia keeps track of plants. The Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife lists Melaleuca diosmifolia as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
Growing Melaleuca diosmifolia in Gardens
This plant is very popular for growing in gardens. It is a tough and adaptable plant. It can grow well in most types of soil and in many different places. However, it cannot survive in very cold, frosty weather.
You can trim this plant to shape it. It makes a beautiful and useful screen or hedge in a garden.
