Consulta Plantas

Care of the tree Melaleuca styphelioides or Prickly paperbark

The genus Melaleuca, family Myrtaceae, comprises 200 species of shrubs and small trees native to Australia. Some species are: Melaleuca styphelioides, Melaleuca nesophila, Melaleuca linariifolia, Melaleuca huegelii, Melaleuca ericifolia, Melaleuca megacephala, Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca armillaris, Melaleuca viridiflora.

Common name: Prickly paperbark. This species is native to eastern Australia.

They are evergreen trees with a rounded crown that reach 20 meters (61.6 feet) in height in their natural habitat; in the gardens they reach 15 meters (49.2 feet). The small, deep green leaves end in rigid points and are arranged in a spiral on the hanging branches. They produce numerous flower spikes with white or cream flowers. They can bloom in spring and early summer. The fruits are brown capsules.

They are used in public parks and streets, as isolated specimens, as shade trees, as windbreaks and next to waterways. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. They resist pollution from cities.

The Melaleuca styphelioides prefer in a full sun exposure and in a Mediterranean climate. They resist occasional frosts.

They can grow in all types of soils: sandy, clayey, calcareous or acidic.

Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting for the substrate to dry; the rest of the year they are kept with rainwater.

They do not need fertilizers.

Prune after flowering to maintain a rounded appearance.

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They propagate from seeds sown in late winter or spring.

Images of the tree Melaleuca styphelioides or Prickly paperbark