Melaleuca quinquenervia, commonly known as the broad-leaved paperbark, paper bark tea tree, punk tree or niaouli, is a small- to medium-sized tree of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It grows as a spreading tree up to 20 m tall, with its trunk covered by a white, beige and grey thick papery bark. The grey-green leaves are egg-shaped, and cream or white bottlebrush-like flowers appear from late spring to autumn.
It was first formally described in 1797 by the Spanish naturalist Antonio José Cavanilles. Native to New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and coastal eastern Australia, from Botany Bay in New South Wales northwards into Queensland, M. quinquenervia grows in swamps, on floodplains and near rivers and estuaries, often on silty soil. It has become naturalised in the Everglades in Florida, where it is considered a serious weed by the USDA.
This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.
and also part of the Blue Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.
Thank you for the post on paperbark tree. I see the dried fruits in these trees from time to time. I never knew what they were.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information about this tree. We have tree sized crepe myrtles in our area. Their bark resembles this tree somewhat.
ReplyDeleteVery Australian. We had them in the garden growing up and so many spiders lived in the 'paper' folds of the bark....That's what I think of when I see them. Not scary spiders, just that curiosity of a child...#Allseasons
ReplyDeleteWe have paperbarks too in Western Australia - but it seems to be a different variety to the eastern states. Have a great week
ReplyDeleteWow... must learn more about this tree.
ReplyDeleteHappy MosaicMonday
Thank you so much being part at
MosaicMonday
Have a fine week. Greetings by Heidrun