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Melaleuca quinquenervia

broad-leaved paperbark

Myrtaceae

Coastal eastern Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Fragrant (moderate)

SunFull Sun

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Melaleuca quinquenervia is an evergreen tree growing 25-80 feet (8-25 m) tall with a spreading crown and a trunk clad in thick, white to buff, papery bark that peels in spongy layers. The leaves are alternate, leathery, oblong to lance-shaped, 2-4.5 inches (5-11 cm) long, with five prominent longitudinal veins that give the species its name. Cream to white flowers are packed into cylindrical bottlebrush spikes 1.5-3 inches (4-7.5 cm) long, appearing mainly in autumn and spring with sporadic flushes through the year. Small woody capsules form along the stems and persist for years, releasing seed after fire or branch death. Growth is rapid, and trees tolerate seasonal flooding, brackish water, and waterlogged soils. Outside its native range it has become a serious environmental weed, forming dense single-species stands in wetlands of southern Florida and elsewhere. The shallow, wide root system and prolific seeding make it difficult to control once established.

Native Range

Native to coastal eastern Australia from New South Wales to northern Queensland, and to southern New Guinea and New Caledonia. Grows in swamps, seasonally flooded flats, and the margins of estuaries and lagoons on sandy and peaty soils, usually below 330 feet (100 m) elevation.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a screen, windbreak, and shade tree in wet or poorly drained sites in frost-free climates, spaced 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m) apart. Used in its native range for swamp stabilisation and as a nectar source for honey production. Its weediness and aggressive seeding make it unsuitable for planting near natural wetlands in many regions.

How to Identify

Identified by thick, white, papery bark that peels in layers, leathery leaves with five distinct parallel veins, and cream bottlebrush flower spikes 1.5-3 inches (4-7.5 cm) long. Clusters of small woody capsules persist along older stems. The five-veined broad leaves separate it from the narrow-leaved Melaleuca leucadendra.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height25' - 80'

Width/Spread15' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Fall Spring

Flowers mainly in autumn and spring, with the heaviest spikes from March to May and a secondary flush in spring. Sporadic flowering can occur at any time in warm climates. Each flush lasts 2-4 weeks and produces abundant nectar.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to white

Foliage Description

grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam clay peat

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun in a wide range of soils, from sand to clay and peat, and tolerates prolonged waterlogging, periodic flooding, and brackish conditions. Established trees also withstand short dry periods. Growth is rapid in warm, wet climates, where trees can reach flowering size in 3-5 years. Few pests affect it in cultivation. In subtropical wetlands the prolific, fire- and damage-triggered seed release allows rapid spread into natural areas. Planting is restricted or prohibited in parts of the United States where it is classed as a noxious weed.

Pruning

Tolerates hard pruning and coppicing, reshooting readily from the trunk and branches. Lower branches can be removed to form a clear trunk. Cut stumps resprout strongly unless treated, contributing to its persistence as a weed.

Pruning Schedule

winter