Melaleuca lateritia

Robin redbreast bush
Melaleuca lateritia growing in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species: M. lateritia
Binomial name
Melaleuca lateritia
A.Dietr.

Melaleuca lateritia, commonly known as the robin redbreast bush, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is also one of the most widely cultivated of the genus because of its attractive flowers which occur over a long period and for its adaptability to a range of climates. It is a medium-sized shrub normally 2–2.5 metres (7–8 ft) high with coarse, fibrous bark.

Description

Melaleuca lateritia is an erect shrub growing to about 2.5 metres (8 ft) high, to 3 metres (10 ft) wide. The leaves are light green, thin, linear, concave and glabrous, 6–25 millimetres (0.2–1 in) long and 1–2 millimetres (0.04–0.08 in) wide and with a pointed tip. They are spirally arranged around the stem.

The flowers are bright-orange red, in spikes to 80 millimetres (3 in) long and 60 millimetres (2 in) in diameter on lateral branches from old wood, the stem continuing to grow beyond the flowers. Flowering occurs over an extended period from spring to early winter.

The fruits are woody capsules about 6–8 millimetres (0.2–0.3 in) in diameter which last for many years without releasing their seeds.[1][2]

M. lateritia fruits.
Flower spike of M. lateritia.

Taxonomy and naming

Melaleuca lateritia was first formally described in 1859 by Albert Gottfried Dietrich in Allgemeine Gartenzeitung, published by Christoph Friedrich Otto and A.G. Dietrich.[3] The specific epithet (lateritia) is from the Latin latericius, meaning "brick"[4] referring to the brick-red colour of the flowers.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Robin redbreast bush occurs in the Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions of Western Australia. It grows in sandy soil in swampy areas.[5][6]

Conservation

Melaleuca lateritia is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.[6]

Uses

Melaleuca lateritia is widely cultivated and it is well established in general horticulture. Although native to a dry summer climate it is one of the more adaptable to the wetter summer conditions of Australia's east coast. "It requires a well drained, sunny position. The species responds to annual fertilising after flowering and to an annual light pruning to encourage a bushy shape."[7][8] "The flowers are often visited by honeyeaters, particularly the eastern spinebill and New Holland honeyeaters in Canberra."[2]

References

  1. ↑ Holliday, Ivan (2004). Melaleucas : a field and garden guide (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Reed New Holland Publishers. pp. 162–163. ISBN 1876334983.
  2. 1 2 3 Elliott, Maree. "Melaleuca lateritia". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Melaleuca lateritia". APNI. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "latericius". Wiktionary. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  5. ↑ Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 394. ISBN 0646402439.
  6. 1 2 Spooner, Amanda. "Melaleuca lateritia". FloraBase. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Melaleuca lateritia". Australian Native Plant Society (Australia). Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 265. ISBN 0002165759.

External source

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