Melaleuca uncinata

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

Melaleuca uncinata, commonly known as Broombush or Broom Honeymyrtle, is a plant in the Paperbark family native to southern Australia. It is harvested from the wild, and grown in plantations, for broombush fencing.

Contents

Taxonomy

The plant belongs to a species complex containing at least 11 species.[1]

Description

Broombush is a multistemmed evergreen shrub usually less than less than 2 m in height, occasionally growing as a small tree to less than 5 m. It is often found in association with mallee eucalypts. Its flowers are white, cream or yellow, and are attractive to birds. [2][1] This plant is also the only known host of the rare and threatened Rhizanthella gardneri, the 'Underground Orchid'. [3]

Distribution

The plant occurs in the Coolgardie-Esperance region of Western Australia as well as on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, extending eastwards to western Victoria and south-western New South Wales.[1]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Florabank.
  2. ^ Florabase.
  3. ^ Dixon, K. W., et al. (1990). The Western Australian fully subterranean orchid Rhizanthella gardneri. Orchid Biology, Reviews and Perspectives. V. J. Arditti. Portland, Oregon, Timber Press. 5: 37-62

Sources


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