Bottlebrush-flower
Melaleuca hypericifolia
Myrtle family (Myrtaceae)
Orange red brushes
The branches of this shrub are light brown-grey with bright green, narrow leaves. It is at its best when in bloom and spikes of flowers with bright orange-red stamens grow from the branches. In this way they form ‘brushes’ up to 6 cm in diameter, each bearing about 40 flowers. In Australia the flowers are visited both by insects, such as hummingbird hawk moth, and birds including the Australian honeyeaters.
This shrub originates along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Because of its inflorescence it is planted in gardens throughout the world. It prefers sun and well-drained soil.
The name melaleuca (black and white) was assigned by mistake. This plant was first discovered on a site that had been burnt. The branches were partly black through having been burnt, and partly white as a result of the new growth.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Zuidas Botanic Garden.
The essential oil obtained from the fresh leaves and twigs is used for medicinal purposes.
Details
| Description: | Shrub, up to 6 m high with a corky to somewhat papery bark. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Australia: new south wales, south queensland. |
| Habitat: | Usually on coastal headlands in wet soils, also on moist ledges and cliffs of the great dividing range. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic evergreen) |
| Hardiness: | 14 - 23 f (hardy - average winter) |
| Flowering period: | Juni - augustus |
| Flower color: | Red |
| Notes on flowers: | Inflorescences axillary, dense panicles 3–5 cm long; individual flowers solitary within each bract. |
| At its best: | Juni - augustus |