Melaleuca holosericea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Melaleuca holosericea
M. holosericea leaves and flowers.
Scientific classification
Genus:	Melaleuca
Species:	holosericea

Melaleuca holosericea is a special plant that belongs to the myrtle family. It is found only in the southwest part of Western Australia. This means it is "endemic" to that area. It is a small, rare shrub. It looks a lot like other pink-flowered plants in the Melaleuca scabra group.

What Does Melaleuca holosericea Look Like?

Melaleuca holosericea usually grows to about 0.6 meters (2 feet) tall. It is rarely taller than that. Its leaves and branches often have many soft, silky hairs. This makes them feel very smooth. The leaves are thin and long, like needles. They are about 6-13 mm (0.2-0.5 inches) long and 0.5-1 mm (0.02-0.04 inches) wide. They are almost round when you look at them from the side.

Its Pretty Pink Flowers

The flowers of Melaleuca holosericea are pinkish. They grow in small clusters, up to 16 mm (0.6 inches) wide. These flower clusters are found at the ends of the branches. The branches keep growing even after the flowers appear. Each cluster has between two and five groups of flowers, with three flowers in each group. The petals are about 1.5-3 mm (0.06-0.12 inches) long. They fall off as the flower opens up. The stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen, are grouped in five bundles around the flower. Each bundle has between 7 and 9 stamens. This plant mostly flowers in early spring. After the flowers, it grows woody fruits called capsules. These capsules are about 3-4.5 mm (0.12-0.18 inches) long.

How This Plant Got Its Name

Melaleuca holosericea was first officially described in 1844. A scientist named Johannes Conrad Schauer gave it its name. The second part of its name, holosericea, comes from Ancient Greek words. It means "whole" and "silk." This name describes the silky hairs that cover the plant's branches and leaves.

Where Melaleuca holosericea Grows

This type of melaleuca plant is found in specific areas of Western Australia. You can find it in the districts of Clackline, Toodyay, and Northam. These areas are part of the Avon Wheatbelt and Jarrah Forest regions. It likes to grow in sandy and gravelly soils. You can often see it on rolling plains and ridges.

Plant Health and Protection

Melaleuca holosericea has a special ability. It can resist a plant disease called Phytophthora cinnamomi. This disease can harm many other plants. The Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Melaleuca holosericea is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.

Images for kids

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  M. holosericea growing near West Toodyay.

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  M. holosericea fruit