Melaleuca nematophylla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wiry honey-myrtle |
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| M. nematophylla flowers | |
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Melaleuca
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| Species: |
lutea
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The Melaleuca nematophylla, also known as the wiry honey-myrtle, is a special plant from the Myrtaceae family. This plant is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's one of the most beautiful melaleucas when its flowers bloom in early spring. It's also easy to grow and has unique needle-like leaves. Because of this, it's quite popular in gardens in warmer parts of Australia.
What it Looks Like
The wiry honey-myrtle is a shrub that grows upright and has a rounded shape. It can reach about 3 metres (10 feet) tall. Its bark is rough, brownish, and peels off like paper. The leaves and branches are smooth, meaning they don't have any hairs.
The leaves are long and thin, like threads, measuring about 40 to 160 millimetres (1.5 to 6 inches) in length. They are round when you look at them from the end, and they get thinner towards a sharp but not prickly tip.
The flowers are usually pink to purple. They grow in round clusters at the ends of most branches. These clusters can be up to 55 millimetres (2 inches) wide, but are often half that size. Each cluster has 10 to 20 small groups of three flowers. The flowers have five bundles of stamens (the parts that make pollen), with 7 to 13 stamens in each bundle. This plant usually flowers in September or October. After the flowers, it grows woody fruits called capsules. These capsules are 3 to 6 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long and grow in round clusters along the stems.
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Naming the Plant
The Melaleuca nematophylla was first described in 1862 by Ferdinand von Mueller. Later, in 1999, the name was officially confirmed by Lyndley Craven. The second part of its scientific name, nematophylla, comes from two Ancient Greek words: nêma, which means "thread," and phýllon, which means "leaf." This name perfectly describes its thread-like leaves.
Where it Grows
This melaleuca plant is found in several areas of Western Australia. You can see it in places like Kalbarri, Mullewa, Three Springs, Perenjori, and the Manning Range. It grows in different types of soil, often on ridges and the tops of sandstone hills.
Looking After It
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Melaleuca nematophylla is "not threatened." This means it's not currently at risk of disappearing.
Growing it in Gardens
The wiry honey-myrtle is a popular plant for gardens in the warmer parts of Australia. It grows best in soil that drains well and in a sunny spot. It also needs to be protected from very cold frosts.
