1. Description

2. Taxonomy and naming

3. Distribution and habitat

4. Ecology

5. Uses
    Traditional use   Horticulture  Essential oils  Other uses 

6. References

• Myrtoleucodendron ericifolium (Sm.) Kuntze
• Cajuputi ericifolia (Sm.) A.Lyons
• Melaleuca ternifolia Miq.
• Melaleuca gunniana Schauer
• Melaleuca gunniana var. capitata Miq.
• Melaleuca heliophila Miq.
• Melaleuca pinifolia Colla

Melaleuca ericifolia, commonly known as swamp paperbark, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and the genus Melaleuca, native to south-eastern Australia. It is a rather variable species and some specimens resemble Melaleuca armillaris but its papery bark and smaller, more prolific flower heads distinguish it from that species. It often grows in swampy areas and the draining and clearing of these has reduced the numbers of the species, especially around Port Philip Bay near Melbourne. It is also similar to Melaleuca pustulata, a Tasmanian endemic, but that species only grows in dry heath.

Description

The flowers are creamy-white in colour, arranged in heads or spikes on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. The spikes are up to {{convert|20|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} in diameter and {{convert|25|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and contain 10 to 40 individual flowers. The petals are {{convert|1.2-2.2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and fall off as the flowers age. The stamens are arranged in five bundles around the flower, each bundle containing 7 to 14 stamens. Flowers appear from October to November in the species' native range and are followed by fruit which are woody capsules {{convert|2.5-3.6|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|3-5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} diameter, arranged in oblong cylinders along the stems.^[2][3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

Distribution and habitat

Swamp paperbark occurs in near-coastal areas of New South Wales south of Port Macquarie^[5] to Port Philip Bay in Victoria. It is also found on the islands of Bass Strait^[2] and is common near the coast in the north, north east and west of Tasmania.^[9] It grows beside streams and in coastal swamps in heath and dry sclerophyll forest.^[2][2] Draining of swamps and land clearance have significantly reduced the numbers of this species in Victoria.^[3][10]

Ecology

This melaleuca has fragrant flowers which attract birds.^[11] It is a clonal species and efforts have been made to use this characteristic to increase the efficiency of rehabilitating swampy areas with this species.^[12]

Uses

Traditional use

Aboriginal people used the bark of this tree for paintings, blankets, and roofing for shelters. Oil from the leaves was used for medicine and nectar from the flowers was used to make sweet drinks.^[6]

Horticulture

This species is a very hardy, fast-growing screen plant.^[13] It is able to withstand permanently wet soil, salt, coastal exposure, shade and moderate frost.^[11] Plants may be pruned to maintain them at a more compact size.^[11]

Essential oils

Other uses

The foliage of this species has been used for brushwood fencing^[10] and in aviaries for nesting sites for species such as finches.^[2]

References

• T.O.B.A.
• Toba catastrophe theory
• Tobacco
• Tobacco advert
• Tobacco advertising regulation
• Tobacco advertising regulations
• Tobacco and Firearms, Bureau of Alcohol
• Tobacco BY-2 cells
• Tobacco cards
• Tobacco companies
• Tobacco company
• Tobacco Dock
• Tobacco Factory
• Tobacco Garden Creek
• Tobacco industry
• Tobacco mosaic disease
• Tobacco mosaic virus
• Tobacco Mosaic Virus
• Tobacco packaging warning messages
• Tobacco pipe
• Tobacco Pipe Makers' and Tobacco Blenders' Company
• Tobacco plant
• Tobacco plants
• Tobacco Protest
• Tobacco Protests