Paper Bark Tea Tree

(Melaleuca quinquenervia)

Paper Bark Tea Tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Melaleuca quinquenervia, commonly known as Paper Bark Tea Tree, is an evergreen tree native to coastal swamps, estuaries, and along watercourses in Eastern Australia, New Caledonia, and New Guinea. It can grow as a shrub or small to medium-sized tree, typically reaching 8–15 m (30–50 ft) in height with a spread of 5–10 m (20–30 ft), though it can sometimes grow as tall as 25 m (80 ft). The tree is characterized by its multi-stemmed trunk, whitish papery bark, and dense foliage. The grey-green, egg-shaped leaves are aromatic when crushed. Cream or white bottlebrush-like flowers are showy and appear from late spring to autumn (September to March in Australia), attracting a variety of wildlife. The woody, cylindrical capsules that follow flowering contain numerous tiny seeds released annually.

The Paper Bark Tea Tree is valued for its ornamental bark, attractive flowers, and ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it suitable for planting in areas with poor drainage. It is commonly used as a street tree or in public parks and gardens, particularly in Sydney. It serves as an excellent windbreak and screening tree, offering ecological benefits as a food source for local fauna. This species prefers full sun and can handle medium to high water levels, adapting well to soils with slow or medium drainage. However, it can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so caution is advised.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
  • Height: 25-40 feet
  • Width: 15-30 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Cream, White
  • Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium, High
  • Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

native to coastal swamps, estuaries, and along watercourses in Eastern Australia, New Caledonia, and New Guinea

Other Names

Common Names: Bottle Brush Tree , Broad-Leaved Paperbark , Punk Tree , Melaleuca , Niaouli , Five-Vein Paperbark , Cajeput-Tree , Paperbark-Tree , Belbowrie , Coastal Teatree

Scientific Names: Melaleuca quinquenervia , Melaleuca viridiflora var. rubriflora , Melaleuca smithii , Melaleuca leucadendra var. albida , Melaleuca leucadendron var. nana , Melaleuca viridiflora var. rubiflora , Metrosideros quinquenervia , Melaleuca leucadendra var. angustifolia , Melaleuca leucadendra var. coriacea , Melaleuca leucadendron var. angustifolia

GBIF Accepted Name: Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T.Blake