Melaleuca calothamnoides

Family: Myrtaceae
Distribution: Heath and woodland in the Kalbarri area of Western Australia.
Common Name: No generally accepted common name.
Conservation Status: Not considered to be at risk in the wild.
Derivation of Name: Melaleuca…from Greek melas; black and leukos; white, referring to black marks on the white trunks of some species due to fire
calothamnoides… similar to the genus Calothamnus.

General Description:

Melaleuca calothamnoides is a small to medium shrub from 0.8 to 3 metres high. The linear leaves are rounded in cross section (terete) and about 20 mm long. Flowers occur in bottlebrush-like clusters and are usually red/orange with a greenish centre. The clusters are usually borne on short branches off the main stems.

Melaleuca calothamnoides has been in cultivation for many years but is not widely grown. It is one of the hardier Western Australian species in humid areas of the east coast where western species can be difficult to establish. It has proven to be hardy in well drained soils in a sunny position. Plants are tolerant of at least moderate frost and respond to pruning to maintain a bushy shape.

Propagation is easy from both seed and cuttings.