Melaleuca eleuterostachya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca eleuterostachya |
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| M. eleuterostachya growing west of Esperance | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
eleuterostachya
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Melaleuca eleuterostachya is a special plant from the myrtle family. It's a type of shrub or small tree that grows only in Western Australia and South Australia. This plant has cool arching branches, thin leaves, and small cream or white flowers that grow in spikes.
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What Does It Look Like?
Melaleuca eleuterostachya is a shrub or a small tree. It has grey bark that feels like paper or fibers. Its thin branches arch outwards. This plant can grow up to about 6 m (20 ft) tall.
The leaves are arranged in pairs, with each pair growing opposite the one below it. They are narrow and shaped like a spear or a thin oval. The leaves are about 2.7–14 mm (0.1–0.6 in) long and 0.8–1.8 mm (0.03–0.07 in) wide. They have a small hook at the end, but it's not sharp.
The flowers are cream or white. They grow in short spikes or small groups, with 8 to 20 sets of three flowers in each group. These flower heads can be up to 20 mm (0.8 in) across. Unlike most other melaleuca plants, these flower spikes grow on the sides of the main branches. They also stop growing once they have flowered.
The petals are about 1.8–2.4 mm (0.07–0.09 in) long and fall off when the flower opens. Inside the flower, there are five bundles of stamens (the parts that make pollen). Each bundle has 12 to 18 stamens. This plant can flower all year round! After flowering, it produces woody capsules (fruits) that are 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. These fruits grow on short side branches.
Its Name and History
The plant Melaleuca eleuterostachya was first officially described in 1886. This was done by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in a book called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.
The second part of its name, eleuterostachya, comes from two ancient Greek words. Eleutheros means "free," and stachys means "spike." This name refers to how the flower spikes grow freely on the sides of the branches, below the leaves.
Where Does It Grow?
Melaleuca eleuterostachya is found in central-southern South Australia. It is very common in the Eyre Peninsula area. It also grows widely across Western Australia, especially in the middle and southern parts. You can find it in a wide strip of land between Geraldton and Albany. This plant likes to grow in sandy or clay soils. It can be found on flat plains, small hills, and even in wet, low-lying areas.
Is It Endangered?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Melaleuca eleuterostachya is "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
Images for kids
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Habit west of Esperance
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