Melaleuca alternifolia

Narrow-leaved paperbark
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Melaleuca
Species:	M. alternifolia
Binomial name
Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel

Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as narrow-leaved paperbark, narrow-leaved tea-tree, narrow-leaved ti-tree, or snow-in-summer, is a species of tree or tall shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Endemic to Australia, it occurs in southeast Queensland and the north coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales where it grows along streams and on swampy flats, and is often the dominant species where it occurs.

Melaleuca alternifolia is a small tree to about 7 m (20 ft) with a bushy crown and whitish, papery bark. Leaves are linear, 10–35 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, smooth and soft. They are also rich in oil with the glands prominent. Flowers occur in fluffy white masses of spikes 3–5 cm (1–2 in) long over a short period, mostly spring to early summer. The small woody, cup-shaped fruit, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) in diameter are scattered along the branches.

Melaleuca alternifolia was first formally described in 1905 by Joseph Maiden and Ernst Betche as Melaleuca linariifolia var. alternifolia. It was renamed Melaleuca alternifolia in 1925 by Edwin Cheel. The specific epithet (alternifolia) is a botanical term meaning "having leaves that alternate on each side of a stem".

Narrow-leaved paperbark occurs from the Grafton district in New South Wales and as far inland as Stroud, north to Maryborough in Queensland. It grows along streams and in swampy places.

This species grows well in a wide range of soils and climates. It prefers well-drained but moist soils and to be grown in full sun.

...
Wikipedia