Melaleuca fulgens

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

Melaleuca fulgens, commonly known as the scarlet honey myrtle, is a shrub or small tree of the myrtle family myrtaceae endemic to Western Australia. It is notable for its showy orange, red or purple flowers. it was one of the many species first described by the botanist Robert Brown, appearing in literature in 1812.^[1] The species name is the Latin adjective fulgens "bright", and is related to the showy flowers.^[2] Three subspecies are recognised: the widely distributed subspecies fulgens, subspecies steedmannii (formerly considered a separate species) which is restricted to the vicinity of Geraldton, and subspecies corrugata, from a small area near the intersection of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.^[3] The type specimen for subspecies corrugata was collected from Mount Woodroffe in South Australia, where it is known as wrinkled honey-myrtle.^[4][5]

It is a member of Melaleuca, a large and diverse genus whose members range from large trees such as M. quinquenervia, to small shrubs.^[6]

Melaleuca fulgens ranges anywhere from 40 cm to 3 m (16 in - 7 ft) high.^[7] The narrow leaves are grey-green in shape and up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long.^[3] Appearing from late winter to summer (July to December), the flowers are shades of red, pink or white.^[7]

Growing on sandy or gravelly soils, or granite outcrops, Melaleuca fulgens is found in a broad area across Western Australia, from Kalbarri to the vicinity of Kalgoorlie and south to the southern coastline.^[7]

Introduced into cultivation in the United Kingdom in 1803,^[6] Melaleuca fulgens is commonly grown in Australian gardens, with several hybrids also available.^[3] It is readily grown given sufficient moisture but needs good drainage as it is susceptible to fungal disease. Its attractive grey foliage and bright showy flowers are its horticultural features.^[2] Light pruning improves flowering and improves the shrub's shape.^[3] Plants may be propagated from seed, though propagation from semi-mature cuttings is preferred for cultivars to preserve flower colour and form.^[8]

References

1. ^ "Melaleuca fulgens R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=36314. 
2. ^ ^{a b} ANBG staff (1977). "Growing Native Plants: Mela\euca fulgens". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Canberra, ACT: Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp7/melaleuca-fulgens.html. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Walters, Brian (2007). "Melaleuca fulgens". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) website. Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). http://anpsa.org.au/m-ful.html. Retrieved 21 May 2011. 
4. ^ "Melaleuca corrugata". 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+corrugata. Retrieved 21 May 2011. 
5. ^ "Melaleuca corrugata". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/cgi-bin/speciesfacts_display.cgi?genus=Melaleuca&species=corrugata. Retrieved 21 May 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake. Trevor (1993). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation:Volume 6 - K-M. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. pp. 315–18, 339. ISBN 0-85091-589-9. 
7. ^ ^{a b c} "'Melaleuca fulgens R.Br.". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5912. 
8. ^ Elliot, Rodger (2003). Australian Plants for Mediterranean Climate Gardens. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 95. ISBN 1877058181.