Melaleuca violacea

Melaleuca violacea is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, straggly, prostrate to semi-prostrate shrub with purple flowers and star-shaped fruit.

Melaleuca violacea
M. violacea leaves and flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species:
M. violacea
Binomial name
Melaleuca violacea

Description

Melaleuca violacea usually grows to a height of less than 1.5 m (5 ft) with many horizontal, layered branches. Its leaves are in opposite pairs, glabrous, heart-shaped to oblong or oval and variable in size, usually 5–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long, 2–8 mm (0.08–0.3 in) wide and with a short stalk.[2][3]

Purple or violet flowers appear on old wood, individually or in groups of up to six and usually in spring. The stamens are arranged in five bundles around the flower, each bundle with up to 25 stamens. The base of the flower is glabrous, 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long. Flowering occurs from July to November and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules, 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) long, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) in diameter. The persistent sepals produce a star shape when the fruits are viewed end-on.[2][3]

M. violacea growing at Cape Riche
M. violacea flowers and fruit

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first formally described in 1844 by Johannes Conrad Schauer in Plantae Preissianae.[1][4] The specific epithet (violacea) is a Latin word meaning "violet-coloured"[5] referring to the colour of the flowers.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Melaleuca violacea occurs from Ravensthorpe to Walpole and as far inland as the Stirling Range and Ongerup district.[2] It grows in sandy or clayey soils over limestone or laterite on low ridges, undulating terrain and swamps.[6][7]

Conservation

Melaleuca violacea is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.[6]

Use in horticulture

A form of this species known as the "tabletop form" grows to a height of 50 cm (20 in) and spreads to 1.5 m (60 in). It is grown from cuttings to maintain its properties and is hardy. It grows well in full sun or semi-shade and in a wide range of soils.[8][9]

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References
  1. "Melaleuca violacea". APNI. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  2. Holliday, Ivan (2004). Melaleucas : a field and garden guide (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Reed New Holland Publishers. pp. 308–309. ISBN 1876334983.
  3. 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. 383. ISBN 9781922137517.
  4. Lehmann, J.G.C. (1844). Plantae Preissianae. Hamburg. p. 146.
  5. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 153.
  6. "Melaleuca violacea". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  7. Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 399. ISBN 0646402439.
  8. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 86. ISBN 0002165759.
  9. Group, Australian Plant Study (1983). Grow what basic : 200 popular Australian plants for your garden & how to grow them. Melbourne, Victoria [Australia]: Nelson. p. 144. ISBN 0170062864.
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