Melaleuca interioris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca interioris |
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| M. interioris growing near Lake Raeside | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
interioris
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Melaleuca interioris is a type of plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. It grows naturally only in certain parts of Australia. These areas include Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory. This plant looks a lot like another one called Melaleuca uncinata. Both have leaves shaped like cylinders and small groups of yellow flowers. However, Melaleuca interioris has smaller fruits that are not squished together as much.
Contents
What Melaleuca interioris Looks Like
Melaleuca interioris is a shrub that can grow up to 3 m (10 ft) tall. It has bark that feels like paper.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant can spread out or stand up straight. They are usually 6–56 mm (0.2–2 in) long and 06–1.2 mm (0.2–0.05 in) wide. The leaves are long and thin, like a line. If you cut one, it would look round or oval inside. Each leaf ends in a sharp point.
The flowers are yellow and grow in small groups. Each group has about 4 to 9 sets of three flowers. The petals are tiny, about 1.1–1.3 mm (0.04–0.05 in) long, and are round or egg-shaped. They fall off as the flower opens. Inside each flower, there are five groups of stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. Each group has 4 to 9 stamens.
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Fruit and Reproduction
Melaleuca interioris flowers between August and November. After the flowers, the plant grows woody fruits called capsules. These capsules are 3.8–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide and are about as long as they are wide. Unlike Melaleuca uncinata, the fruits of Melaleuca interioris stay separate from each other. They do not get pressed together into one big fruit.
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Naming the Plant
The scientific name Melaleuca interioris was officially given in 2004. It was named by two scientists, Lyndley Craven and Brendan Lepschi. They described it in a science journal called Australian Systematic Botany. They found a sample of the plant about 134 kilometres (80 mi) north of Leinster in Western Australia.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of the name, interioris, means "from the interior." This is because the plant is found in the central parts of Australia.
Where Melaleuca interioris Grows
This melaleuca plant is found in the middle parts of Western Australia and South Australia. It also grows in the southern half of the Northern Territory. You can find it in the far west of New South Wales and the very south-west corner of Queensland.
Plant Habitat
It usually grows in areas with shrubs and red sand. You can often see it near the edges of salt lakes, temporary creeks, claypans, and floodplains.
How it is Protected
The Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Melaleuca interioris is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
Uses in Farming
Melaleuca interioris and similar plants like M. uncinata and M. atroviridis are useful in farming.
Benefits for Land
Farmers can use these plants to protect their land. They help stop wind and water from washing away the soil. They also help reduce salt in the soil and prevent waterlogging, which is when too much water stays in the ground. These plants also provide homes for wildlife.
Other Uses
Sometimes, these plants are grown to be harvested. Their branches can be used to make brushwood fences, which can provide extra income for farmers.
