Melaleuca cajeputi

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cajuput
• cajaput
• cajaput-tree
• cajeput
• paperbark teatree
• swamp teatree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrtus saligna
• Pimentus saligna

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is categorized within the genus Melaleuca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. In China, it can be found throughout both the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends to the island of Taiwan within the broader Eastern Asia region. Additionally, the species is located in the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in Sri Lanka. Finally, its range reaches into Indo-China, where it is documented in Cambodia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Melaleuca cajeputi is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. It functions as a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. Furthermore, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melaleuca cajeputi is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests primarily as a tree, though it can also present as a shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it remains an independent organism rather than a parasite. The species exhibits a terrestrial life habit and is classified as semiaquatic, often inhabiting environments with significant water presence. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant vertical development, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of 7 meters to a maximum of 24 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 25 meters.

Aquatic :

semiaquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melaleuca cajeputi is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. As a member of the Myrtaceae family, its metabolic processes are optimized for efficient gas exchange and energy production under its native environmental conditions. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melaleuca cajeputi is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insect vectors. The plant relies on these biological agents for pollen transfer, as self-fertilization is noted to be absent, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. The resulting seeds are extremely minute, maintaining a highly consistent mass across the population. Specifically, the seed mass exhibits no variation, with a minimum, maximum, and mean value all recorded at 0.00018 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.00018 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Melaleuca cajuputi has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-alpha-Terpineol, (-)-Linalool, (-)-Terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-Cineole, ALPHA-PINENE.

(+)-alpha-Terpineol

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Linalool

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Terpinen-4-ol

1. Dr. Duke

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

GAMMA-TERPINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Guaiol

1. Dr. Duke

LIMONENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Melaleuca cajuputi has 128 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Melaleuca cajuputi has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include adiposity.

Adiposity

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)