Melaleuca zonalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melaleuca zonalis |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Melaleuca
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| Species: |
zonalis
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Melaleuca zonalis is a type of shrub that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it is only found in the south-west part of Western Australia. It grows as a bush with many stems and has leaves that often look like spoons. Its flowers are usually pale yellow when they first bloom, but they turn pink as they get older. Even though you can find many of these plants, they only grow in a fairly small area.
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What is Melaleuca zonalis?
Melaleuca zonalis is a straight-growing shrub with many stems. It can grow up to about 1 m (3 ft) tall.
Leaves of the Melaleuca zonalis
The leaves of this plant grow in an alternating pattern along the stems. They are usually between 8.5–30.5 millimetres (0.3–1 in) long and 2.2–6 millimetres (0.09–0.2 in) wide. Their shape can be narrow and egg-like, or like a spoon. When the leaves are young, they have tiny hairs on them. But as they get older, they become smooth and lose their hairs. Each leaf has a very short stalk connecting it to the stem.
Flowers and Fruits of the Melaleuca zonalis
The flowers of Melaleuca zonalis grow in small clusters of three. These clusters appear near the ends of the branches and can be up to 28 mm (1 in) across. You can see these flowers from October to December. They start as yellow, pale lemon-white, or cream colors, and then change to pink as they age.
Inside each flower, there are five groups of stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. Each group has 8 to 13 stamens. The bottom part of the flower is a bit hairy. After the flowers bloom, they turn into woody seed pods called capsules. Each of these fruit capsules is about 3–6.5 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long.
Where Does Melaleuca zonalis Grow?
Melaleuca zonalis is found in Western Australia. It grows from a place called Eneabba all the way to the Gairdner Range, which is inside the Lesueur National Park. This area is known as the Geraldton Sandplains region. The plant likes to grow in grey, sandy gravel that sits over a type of rock called laterite. You can find it on rocky outcrops, in valleys, and on hills.
Is Melaleuca zonalis Protected?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Melaleuca zonalis is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
What is Melaleuca zonalis Used For?
This plant contains special natural oils called monoterpene and sesquiterpene essential oils. However, the amount of oil that can be taken from the plant is quite small.
