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Image Credit: D. Storey – Natural Values Atlas
Scientific Name: Melaleuca squarrosa
Common Name: scented paperbark
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Myrtaceae
Form Description: An erect shrub.
Height (m): 1 – 6
Flowers: Small bottlebrush-like flowers which are usually pale yellow.
Fruit: Woody capsule 2.7-3.5 mm long.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Common in shallow gullies and damp areas in heathlands and forests. Widespread and abundant in damp sandy soil.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Shady, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Poorly-drained, Sandy
General Notes
A good street tree and screen and hedging plant. Will shoot back from a woody root stock after coppicing. Bird attracting. Bee attracting. Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Susceptible to browsing by possums and wallabies.
Propagation Calendar
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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 Information
Seed Collection
Collect older capsules any time. Harvest branches with capsules and air or kiln dry. Avoid collecting when in bloom or immediately after as stamens contaminate seed. Seed looks like ground pepper.
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
Keep very damp after sowing. Seed gives good germination. If no growth is evident 2 weeks after germination soluble fertilizer may be used. Bog method is very successful.
Germination Time
10-30 days
Cutting & Division Information
Can be propagated from cuttings.