Melaleuca ordinifolia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Melaleuca ordinifolia
Melaleuca ordinifolia near Hamersley River
Conservation status
Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Melaleuca
Species:	ordinifolia

Melaleuca ordinifolia is a cool plant from the Myrtaceae family, which includes plants like eucalyptus. It only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a close relative of another plant called Melaleuca brevifolia. However, Melaleuca ordinifolia is smaller and has different kinds of leaves.

What Melaleuca ordinifolia Looks Like

Melaleuca ordinifolia is a shrub that can grow up to about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall. Its leaves are packed closely together. They are arranged in a special way, in alternating pairs, forming four neat rows along the branches.

Each leaf is small, about 3–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long and 0.8–1.5 mm (0.03–0.06 in) wide. They are very narrow and oval-shaped. The leaves are also slightly curved like a dish and have a rounded tip.

Flowers and Fruits

This plant produces many white flowers. They grow in clusters on the sides of the branches. Each flower cluster is up to 15 mm (0.6 in) across. It holds one to six individual flowers. Inside each flower, there are five groups of stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. Each group has 8 to 12 stamens.

The main time for flowering is in early spring. After the flowers, the plant grows woody fruits. These fruits are called capsules and are about 3–4.2 mm (0.12–0.17 in) long.

How it Got its Name

The plant Melaleuca ordinifolia was first officially described in 1992. A scientist named Bryan Barlow gave it its name. The second part of its name, ordinifolia, comes from two Latin words. Ordo means "a methodical arrangement" or "row." Folium means "a leaf." So, the name refers to how the leaves are arranged in a very regular way.

Where Melaleuca ordinifolia Grows

Melaleuca ordinifolia is found only in specific areas of Western Australia. You can find it near the Stirling Range and Hamersley River districts. It grows in places with sandy soil or clay. These areas are part of different natural regions like the Avon Wheatbelt and Esperance Plains.

Protecting This Plant

The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of this plant. They have classified Melaleuca ordinifolia as "Priority Two." This means that not much is known about this plant. It is found in only one or a few locations, so it needs to be watched and protected.

Images for kids

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  M. ordinifolia growth habit

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  M. ordinifolia fruit