Teatree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Teatree |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melaleuca
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| Species: |
minutifolia
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The Melaleuca minutifolia, often called teatree, is a special plant from the Myrtaceae family, which also includes eucalyptus trees. This plant is found only in northern Australia. It gets its name "minutifolia" because it has very tiny leaves. It also grows beautiful creamy white or white flowers all year round in its natural home.
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What Does the Teatree Look Like?
The Melaleuca minutifolia is a shrub or a small tree. It can grow to be about 7 to 10 meters (23 to 33 feet) tall. It has white bark that feels like paper. Its branches are smooth, meaning they don't have any hairs.
Leaves and How They Grow
The leaves of this teatree are very small. They are shaped like a diamond. They are only about 1.2 to 4.5 millimeters (0.05 to 0.18 inches) long. They are also very narrow, about 0.6 to 1.1 millimeters (0.02 to 0.04 inches) wide. The leaves grow in a special way. They are arranged in pairs, with each pair at a right angle to the one below it. This makes them look like they are in four neat rows along the stems. If you look closely, the top of the leaf presses against the stem. This shows off tiny bumps on the underside of the leaf, which are actually oil glands.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the Melaleuca minutifolia are white or creamy white. They grow in short spikes at the ends of the branches. Sometimes they grow along the sides of the branches too. These flower spikes are about 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) wide. Each spike can have up to 10 pairs of flowers. The petals are small, about 1.4 to 2.1 millimeters (0.06 to 0.08 inches) long. They fall off as the flower gets older.
Inside the flowers, there are many stamens. These are the parts that make pollen. They are grouped into five bundles. Each bundle has 8 to 16 stamens. This teatree can flower all year. However, it flowers most often in autumn and spring. After the flowers, the plant grows small, woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like cylinders. They are about 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) long. They are also 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) wide. These fruits grow in small, loose groups along the stem.
Where Does the Teatree Come From?
The Melaleuca minutifolia grows in sandy or rocky areas. You can find it in northern Western Australia. It grows near the Drysdale River National Park. It is also found in the southwestern part of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.
How This Plant Got Its Name
A famous botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller first described this plant in 1859. He was a government botanist in Victoria, Australia. He found the plant in "barren localities in North Western Australia." The scientific name minutifolia comes from two Latin words. Minutus means "little" or "small." Folia means "leaves." So, the name simply means "little-leaved" because of its tiny leaves.
Is the Teatree Safe?
The Melaleuca minutifolia is considered "not threatened." This means it is not in danger of disappearing. The Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of its safety.
How People Use the Teatree
Growing in Gardens
This teatree has a natural and appealing shape. It can be a good plant to grow if you live in a tropical area. It can be used to create a screen or a hedge in a garden.
Special Oils from Leaves
The leaves of this plant contain special oils. These oils are made up mostly of things called sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes. These are types of natural chemicals.
