lavender tea tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• paperbark teatree
• swamp paperbark
• swamp teatree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cajuputi ericifolia
• Melaleuca ternifolia
• Melaleuca axillaris
• Myrtoleucodendron ericifolium
• Melaleuca gunniana
• Melaleuca gunniana var. capitata
• Melaleuca heliophila
• Melaleuca pinifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified within the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Melaleuca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across several regions within the Australian continent. Its natural range extends throughout the state of New South Wales. Additionally, it can be located in the coastal and inland areas of Victoria. The species also makes an appearance in the southern landscapes of Tasmania. Therefore, its distribution is concentrated in the southeastern portions of Australia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Melaleuca ericifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term persistence within its natural ecosystem. Structurally, the plant exhibits a complex growth habit that can be classified through different life form perspectives; it primarily functions as a phanerophyte, possessing visible woody stems that extend above the ground level, while it can also be categorized as a nanophanerophyte depending on the specific height and density of its shrubby architecture. This perennial nature allows the plant to establish stable populations that endure through various seasonal cycles, maintaining its structural presence via its woody framework.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melaleuca ericifolia is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 8 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing behavior and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological habitat and positioning, the plant is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. Its structure is defined by its sturdy, woody composition, which supports its upright, non-climbing habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melaleuca ericifolia is characterized by specific morphological adaptations and metabolic processes tailored to its environmental niche. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation efficiency and water-use strategies. Its foliage is notably narrow and needle-like, a structural adaptation likely used to minimize transpiration; specifically, the leaves exhibit a maximum width of only 0.1 cm. In terms of longitudinal dimensions, the leaf length is highly consistent, ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm.

Leaf length max:

1.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.7 cm

Leaf width max:

0.1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Melaleuca ericifolia is characterized by the production of minute seeds that exhibit significant variability in size. The seed mass is notably small, with a calculated mean mass of approximately 8.93e-05 g. This biological trait shows a wide distribution range, spanning from a minimum seed mass of 7.9e-06 g to a maximum seed mass of 0.00023 g. Such characteristics in seed dimensions play a critical role in the plant's dispersal mechanisms and subsequent establishment in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.00023 g

Seed mass mean:

8.93e-05 g

Seed mass min:

7.9e-06 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melaleuca ericifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Melaleuca ericifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 28-norlup-20(29)-en-3beta-hydroxy-17alpha-hydroperoxide, 28-norlup-20(29)-en-3beta-hydroxy-17beta-hydroperoxide.

28-norlup-20(29)-en-3beta-hydroxy-17alpha-hydroperoxide

1. Journal of natural products

28-norlup-20(29)-en-3beta-hydroxy-17beta-hydroperoxide

1. Journal of natural products