Melaleuca megalongensis

Melaleuca megalongensis, commonly known as Megalong Valley bottlebrush,[2] is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to New South Wales. (Some Australian state herbaria use the name Callistemon megalongensis).[3] It is a shrub similar to Melaleuca citrina (Callistemon citrinus) which occurs in the same area and is difficult to distinguish from it, except when in flower.

Melaleuca megalongensis fruit
Melaleuca megalongensis growth habit

Megalong Valley bottlebrush
Melaleuca megalongensis flowers

Critically endangered  (EPBC Act)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. megalongensis
Binomial name
Melaleuca megalongensis
Craven & S.M.Douglas
Synonyms[1]

Callistemon megalongensis (Craven & S.M.Douglas) Udovicic & R.D.Spencer


Description

Melaleuca megalongensis is a shrub growing to 5 m (20 ft) tall with soft, flaking or peeling bark. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are 35–55 mm (1–2 in) long, 3.5–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, flat, narrow elliptic to narrow egg-shaped with the narrow end towards the base. There is a mid-vein and 15 to 24 lateral veins. The leaves usually have some thickening at the mid-vein and margins.[1][4][5]

The flowers are arranged in spikes on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering and are 30–40 mm (1–2 in) in diameter with 25 to 60 individual flowers. The petals are 3.0–3.7 mm (0.12–0.15 in) long and fall off as the flower ages and there are 45-50 stamens in each flower. The filaments of the stamens are pink with a dark red anther. Flowering occurs in November and December and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules, 6 mm (0.2 in) long.[1][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca megalongensis was first formally described in 2009 by Lyndley Craven in Novon.[6][7] The specific epithet (megalongensis) refers to the locality where the species is found.[1]

Callistemon megalongensis is regarded as a synonym of Melaleuca megalongensis by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,[8]

Distribution and habitat

This melaleuca occurs in the Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains. It grows in damp situations near streams.[1][4]

Conservation

Melaleuca megalongensis has been classified as "critically endangered" (as Callistemon megalongensis) under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and by the Scientific Committee of the NSW Government Department of Environment and Heritage.[5][2]

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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. 241. ISBN 9781922137517.
  2. "Conservation Advice Callistemon megalongensis Megalong Valley bottlebrush" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. 2015-11-17. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  3. Udovicic, Frank; Spencer, Roger (2012). "New combinations in Callistemon (Myrtaceae)" (PDF). Muelleria. 30 (1): 23–25. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  4. Wilson, Pete. "Callistemon megalongensis". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Plantnet. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  5. "Callistemon megalongensis - proposed critically endangered species listing". NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  6. "Melaleuca megalongensis". APNI. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  7. Craven, Lyn A. (2009). "Melaleuca (Myrtaceae) from Australia". Novon. 19: 446. doi:10.3417/2007008. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  8. "Callistemon megalongensis". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
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