Wattle-flowered paperbark, Small Paper bark, Pygmy Flowered Paperbark, Coastal Paperbark, Black Teatree
Melaleuca acacioides

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium sized shrub. It grows 5 m high. The bark is papery and cream or grey coloured. The leaves are 1.5-9.5 cm long by 0.2-1.5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and with short stalks. They have 3-5 prominent veins. The leaves have a strong odour. The flower heads can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The flowers are white. The petals are 0.15 cm across and nearly round. The fruit are capsules 0.2 cm long and barrel shaped.

There are 150-250 Melaleuca species. They occur in Asia and Australia. NB it is often mixed up with Melaleuca citrolens and the leaves of this one have a citrus odour. This may be the case with Levitt.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland. It can be in well drained soils as well as in poorly drained soils. It grows in full sun. It is often in salty soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to flavour fish while cooking.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Melaleuca alsophila Cunn. ex Benth.;