Melaleuca linophylla facts for kids

Melaleuca linophylla is a cool plant from the Myrtaceae family, which is also known as the myrtle family. You can find it growing naturally in the north-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a bushy shrub with thin leaves and pretty cream-colored flowers that bloom in spring. One special thing about it is its fruits, which look a lot like small urns or vases!

What Does Melaleuca linophylla Look Like?

Melaleuca linophylla is a shrub that can spread out and sometimes grow quite bushy. It can reach a height of about 3 m (10 ft), which is like a tall basketball hoop.

Its leaves are placed one after another along the stems. They are very narrow and shaped like a long oval. Each leaf is about 10–56 mm (0.4–2 in) long and 1–4 mm (0.04–0.2 in) wide.

Flowers and Fruits: A Closer Look

The flowers of this plant are cream-colored and grow in large numbers. They form spikes at the ends of the branches. Even while the flowers are opening, the branches keep growing! Sometimes, flowers also appear where the upper leaves meet the stem.

Each flower spike can have 30 to 70 individual flowers. The spikes themselves can be up to 50 mm (2 in) long and 18 mm (0.7 in) across. The petals of each flower are tiny, only about 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) long. Inside the flower, the stamens (the parts that make pollen) are grouped into five bundles. Each bundle has 7 to 15 stamens.

This plant blooms in spring. After the flowers, woody fruits called capsules appear. These fruits are small, about 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long. They have a very distinct shape, looking just like a tiny urn or a vase.

Its Name and History

The plant Melaleuca linophylla was first officially described in 1862. This was done by a scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in his book "Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae".

The second part of its scientific name, linophylla, is a bit of a mystery. It might be because Mueller thought its leaves looked like those of a plant from the Linum family. The Ancient Greek word phýllon means "leaf". So, the name might mean "flax-like leaf".

Where Does It Grow?

You can find Melaleuca linophylla in a few areas of Western Australia. These include the regions around Karratha, Port Hedland, and Paraburdoo.

It likes to grow in stony and sandy soils. You will often see it along the edges of creeks, where it can get enough water.

Is It Safe?

Good news! The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Melaleuca linophylla is "not threatened". This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.

Growing It at Home

This plant is not often grown in gardens. However, it is thought to be able to handle dry conditions. If you wanted to grow it, it would probably do best in soil that drains water well.