Melaleuca subulatus
Dwarf Bottlebrush
Dwarf Bottlebrush
Common name: Dwarf Bottlebrush
Conservation status: unknown
Etymology:
Melaleuca is derived from the Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas) meaning "dark" or "black" and λευκός (leukós) meaning "white"
The specific epithet (subulata) refers to the subulate shape of the leaves
Flowers:
The flowers are a deep crimson colour
Are arranged in spikes at the end of, or around the branches which continue to grow after flowering
The spikes are 30–60 mm in diameter and 40–80 mm long with 20 to 80 individual flowers
The petals are 2.5–5.2 mm long and fall off as the flower ages and there are 16-27 stamens in each flower
Flowering occurs from November to May
Fruit:
Woody capsules, 3–5.1 mm long and 4–5 mm in diameter
Leaves:
Its leaves are arranged alternately and are 18–50 mm long, 1–3.1 mm wide
Cylindrical or shaped like a bradawl
Stem & branches:
A shrub growing to 1–2 m high with hard, fibrous bark
Roots:
x
Habit:
It is a small, spreading shrub with hard bark, dense foliage, cylindrical leaves and spikes of dark crimson flowers in summer
Habitat:
It grows in creek beds and on the banks of streams in forests
Distribution:
Endemic to south eastern Australia
Occurs in and between the Heathcote and Mittagong districts in NSW and East Gippsland in Victoria
Species:
World: S, G
Australia: S, G
Additional notes:
Taxonomy
Itwas first named in 2006 by Lyndley Craven in Novon when Callistemon subulatus was transferred to the present genus
Callistemon subulatus was first formally described by botanist Edwin Cheel in 1925 in Proceedings of the Linnean Society of NSW Series
Callistemon subulatus is regarded as a synonym of Melaleuca subulata by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Use in horticulture
Melaleuca subulata is commonly cultivated because of it abundant, attractive flowers. It is hardy but benefits from the application of low-phosphorus fertiliser
Sources of information:
(2023)