melaleuca

Melaleuca is a genus of evergreen shrubs and trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Native to Australia, the genus includes about 200 to 300 species, commonly known as tea trees or paperbarks. Plants are typically recognizable by peeling papery bark, aromatic leaves, and dense inflorescences of small flowers that are usually white or pale cream.

Leaves are simple and highly aromatic due to essential oils. Flowers appear in spikes or brush-like heads and are often long-lasting; the fruits are woody capsules that persist on the plant. The distinctive bark and prolific flowering give many Melaleuca species their familiar appearance.

Distribution and habitat: Melaleuca is predominantly Australian, spanning tropical to temperate zones. Many species thrive in wetlands, forests of sclerophyll, and other disturbance-prone environments. Several species have become invasive outside Australia, most notably Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida’s Everglades, where they have altered water regimes and plant communities.

Taxonomy: Melaleuca belongs to the Myrtaceae family. The genus has undergone taxonomic revisions; some species formerly placed in Callistemon (bottlebrushes) have been incorporated into Melaleuca, reflecting molecular and morphological evidence.

Uses: Leaves yield essential oils, with Melaleuca alternifolia famous as the source of tea tree oil used in cosmetics and topical products. The wood is used for timber and crafts, and many species are grown in horticulture and for restoration or erosion-control projects. The flowers also provide nectar for bees in some regions.

Ecology and conservation: Most species are widespread and not endangered, but several narrow-range taxa face threats from habitat loss and competition with invasive species. Melaleuca remains an important genus for ecology, horticulture, and industry in its native range.