Melaleuca linearifolia

Melaleuca linearifolia, commonly known as netted bottlebrush, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to New South Wales in Australia. (Some Australian state herbaria continue to use the name Callistemon linearifolius).[2] It is a shrub with narrow, pointed leaves and red flower spikes in spring or summer.

Netted bottlebrush
Melaleuca linearifolia leaves and flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. linearifolia
Binomial name
Melaleuca linearifolia
Synonyms[1]
  • Metrosideros linearifolia Link
  • Callistemon linearifolius (Link) DC.

Description

Melaleuca linearifolia is a shrub or small tree growing to 4 m (10 ft) tall with grey, hard, flaking bark. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are 29–152 mm (1–6 in) long, 4–13 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide, flat but thickened at the edges, linear to lance-shaped, pointed at the tip, with a mid-vein and 17 to 35 branching veins.[1][3][4]

The flowers are red to dark crimson and arranged in spikes on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering and also on the sides of the branches. The spikes are 35–55 mm (1–2 in) in diameter and 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in) long with 30 to 90 individual flowers. The petals are 3.2–6.6 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long and fall off as the flower ages and there are 21–23 stamens in each flower. Flowering occurs from spring to summer and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules, 4.8–6 mm (0.19–0.24 in) long.[1][3][4]

M. linearifolia leaves and fruit

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca linearifolia was first formally described in 2006 by Lyndley Craven in Novon.[5][6] The specific epithet (linearifolia) is from the Latin words linearis meaning "linear"[7]:485 and folium meaning "a leaf"[7]:340 in reference to the shape of the leaves of this species.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Melaleuca linearifolia occurs on the coast of New South Wales from Nelson Bay to the Georges River, where it grows in dry sclerophyll forest near sandstone.[3][4]

Conservation status

Melaleuca linearifolia has been classified as "vulnerable" by the New South Wales Government.[8]

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References
  1. Brophy, Joseph J.; Craven, Lyndley A.; Doran, John C. (2013). Melaleucas : their botany, essential oils and uses. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. p. 229. ISBN 9781922137517.
  2. Udovicic, Frank; Spencer, Roger (2012). "New combinations in Callistemon (Myrtaceae)" (PDF). Muelleria. 30 (1): 23–25. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  3. Spencer, Roger; Lumley, Peter F. "Callistemon linearifolius". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Plantnet. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  4. "Netted Bottle Brush - profile". NSW Government: Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  5. "Melaleuca linearifolia". APNI. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  6. Craven, Lyn A. (2006). "New Combinations in Melaleuca for Australian Species of Callistemon (Myrtaceae)". Novon. 16 (4): 472. doi:10.3417/1055-3177(2006)16[468:NCIMFA]2.0.CO;2. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  7. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  8. "Callistemon linearifolius (a shrub) - vulnerable species listing". NSW Government: Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
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