Weeping Paperbark

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cajeput-tree
• Weeping Paperbark
• big white paperbark
• broadleaf paperbark
• broadleaf teatree
• brown teatree
• butterscotch paperbark
• cajaput-tree
• longleaf paperbark
• paperbark
• paperbark teatree
• paperbark-tree
• river teatree
• swamp teatree
• weeping teatree
• white teatree
• Long-leaved Paperbark
• White Paperbark

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Meladendron leucocladum
• Kajuputi leucadendron
• Myrtus leucadendra
• Melaleuca rigida
• Melaleuca leucadendra var. cunninghamii
• Melaleuca amboinensis
• Melaleuca mimosoides
• Metrosideros coriacea
• Leptospermum leucodendron
• Melaleuca leucadendra var. lancifolia
• Melaleuca leucadendra var. mimosoides
• Melaleuca leucadendra var. angusta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Myrtales, and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Melaleuca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and fragmented geographical distribution across multiple tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented specifically within Benin. Its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Gabon and throughout the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving toward the Indo-China region, the species is also located on the Andaman Islands. Finally, its distribution continues to the Nicobar Islands, marking its presence in the Indian Ocean.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Melaleuca leucadendra is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melaleuca leucadendra is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely self-supporting and independent, lacking any parasitic or climbing habits. This terrestrial species can reach a significant stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 30 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 30 meters. As a non-epiphytic, terrestrial plant, it establishes itself firmly in the soil rather than growing on other vegetation.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

30 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melaleuca leucadendra is characterized by its specific metabolic and structural adaptations. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation, which governs its energy production and growth patterns. Structurally, the plant exhibits a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 634 mg/cm³, a metric that reflects its wood density and internal anatomical organization. Furthermore, Melaleuca leucadendra does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to fulfill its nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

634 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melaleuca leucadendra is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by animal interactions to facilitate genetic exchange. Specifically, the plant relies on insects, with bees serving as significant pollinators in its reproductive cycle. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a high degree of variability in size. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.00004 g to a maximum of 0.00059 g, with an average seed mass measured at approximately 0.000406 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00059 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000406 g

Seed mass min:

4e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Melaleuca leucadendra has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALPHA-PINENE, Betulin, Cajeputol, Dipentene, EO.

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Cajeputol

1. Dr. Duke

Dipentene

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Eucalyptol

1. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Friedelin

1. Dr. Duke

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke

ISOVALERIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Isoquercitrin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Melaleuca leucadendra has 237 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor.

Anticancer

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

Antidiabetic

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

Antioxidant

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

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

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

Obesity

1. Journal of natural medicines

Preparations

Melaleuca leucadendra has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oils, extracts, water extracts.

Essential oils

1. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Water extracts

1. Journal of natural medicines