Scientific Name: Melaleuca gibbosa

Common Name: slender honeymyrtle

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Myrtaceae

Form Description: Shrub with branches often slender and spreading.

Height (m): 1 – 3

Flowers: Mauve, in small dense oblong spikes. Flowers sparsely throughout the year, mainly spring.

Fruit: Woody capsule – in cylindrical spikes. The branches continue to grow so that old fruits encircle the stem. Seeds are very fine, like short hairs.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieClarenceDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonNorthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-Wynyard
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationHeath
Habitat Notes

Wet, peaty ground in east, north-east and north-west. Grows vigorously in exposed spots such as Cape Bruny and Hurricane Heath.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

General Notes

Bird attracting. Susceptible to browsing by possums and wallabies.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Unlike some Melaleucas, Melaleuca gibbosa drops its seed on maturity.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Storage Life

Long

Seed Treatment Notes

Seed gives good germination. Soluble fertilizer may be needed if no growth is obvious 2 weeks after germination.

Germination Time

10-30 days

Cutting & Division Information

Can be struck from cuttings collected when plant is flowering. Hormone powder assists.