Melaleuca decussata

Melaleuca decussata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Melaleuca
Species:	M.decussata
Binomial name
Melaleuca decussata R.Br.[1]

Melaleuca decussata, commonly known as Cross-leaf Honey-myrtle or Totem Poles, is a shrub or small tree in the genus Melaleuca. It is native to South Australia and both native and naturalised in Victoria.^[1]

The species grows to 4 metres in height. The oblanceolate leaves are blue-green and are about 10 mm long and 3 mm wide.^[2] The pale purple flower spikes are 2 to 3 cm in length and appear from November to February in the species native range.^[2] These fade to white with age.

The species was first formally described by botanist Robert Brown in 1812 in the second edition of Hortus Kewensis from material collected from the southern coastal region of Australia.^[1]

Melaleuca decussata occurs in low nutrient soils subject to inundation.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Melaleuca decussata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?TAXON_NAME=Melaleuca+decussata. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Wild Plants of Victoria (database). Viridans Biological Databases & Department of Sustainability and Environment. 2009.