Melaleuca trichophylla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca trichophylla |
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| M. trichophylla growing in Maranoa Gardens, Victoria. | |
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Melaleuca
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| Species: |
trichophylla
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The Melaleuca trichophylla is a type of shrub that belongs to the myrtle family. It grows naturally only in the southwest part of Western Australia. This plant is known for its beautiful pink or purple flowers. These flowers bloom from August to December, which is late winter to early summer in Australia. People have been growing this plant in gardens for a long time.
Contents
What it Looks Like
Melaleuca trichophylla can grow in a few ways. It might be a low, spreading shrub that stays close to the ground, reaching about 50 cm (20 inches) tall. Or, it can be a bushier plant that stands more upright, growing up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) high. It has light grey bark.
Its leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are usually between 8 and 31.5 mm (0.3 to 1.2 inches) long. The leaves are very narrow, like a line, or shaped like a tear-drop.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of this plant grow in groups at the ends of the branches. Each group has three flowers, and there can be 2 to 12 such groups. These flower heads can be up to 35 mm (1.4 inches) wide. They are bright pink, purple, or a deep red color. The flowers have bright yellow parts called anthers that stand out.
The main flowering time is from August to December. After the flowers, the plant produces woody fruits. These fruits are like small, hard boxes called capsules. They grow in loose groups and are about 2 to 4.5 mm (0.08 to 0.18 inches) long.
Plant Name and History
This plant was first officially described in 1839 by a botanist named John Lindley. He wrote about it in his book A sketch of the vegetation of the Swan River Colony. Lindley noticed that "every twig ... is terminated by hemispherical heads of brilliant pink."
The plant's scientific name, trichophylla, comes from two old Greek words. Thrix means "hair," and phyllon means "leaf." This name refers to the plant's slightly hairy leaves. Melaleuca is a large group of plants that includes many different types, from tall trees to small shrubs.
Where it Grows
This melaleuca plant is found in several areas of Western Australia. It grows from the Northampton area down to the Busselton area. You can find it in places like sandplains and hillsides. It prefers to grow in white, grey, or orange sand that sits over a type of rock called laterite.
Conservation Status
The Melaleuca trichophylla is considered "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
Growing Melaleuca trichophylla in Gardens
Melaleuca trichophylla is a great plant for gardens because it is tough and produces many flowers. It grows best in soils that are slightly acidic to alkaline and drain water well. Some types of this plant grow better than others. For example, the one with deep pink flowers is very showy but might not live as long. Another type that flowers in August is very good at adapting to different conditions.
Sometimes, this plant can get a disease called grey mould, especially when the weather is wet or humid.
Images for kids
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Habit in the ANBG
