Melaleuca linearis
Common names
bottlebrush
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Detailed description
Small to medium shrub. Young shoots covered with silky hairs. Leaves up to 11 cm × 4 mm, narrow linear, bearing numerous small dots, vein forming rigid margins. Deep red flowers in spikes.
Similar taxa
Can be distinguished from widely cultivated Melaleuca citrina by the narrower leaves and the veins forming ridges.
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Conservation status
Not applicable
Threats
This taxon may be prone to myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is an invasive fungus that threatens myrtle species. Learn more: myrtlerust.org.nz.
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Myrtaceae
Synonyms
Callistemon rigidus R.Br.
Ecology
Flowering
October, November, December, January, February
Year naturalised
1982
Origin
Australia: NSW.
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Other information
Etymology
linearis: Linear (leaves)
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
MELLIN