About Melaleuca lanceolata Otto
Melaleuca lanceolata Otto is a large shrub or small tree that reaches up to 10 meters (30 feet) in height. It has rough, dark grey bark covering a trunk that is often twisted and bent by wind exposure. Young branchlets and leaves are covered in soft, silky hairs, becoming glabrous as they mature. Leaves are alternately arranged, 3.1–12.5 mm (0.1–0.5 in) long, 0.7–1.9 mm (0.03–0.07 in) wide, with a linear to narrow elliptic shape and a concave upper surface. The flowers are white or cream-colored, arranged in spikes at the ends of branches that continue growing after flowering; they sometimes also appear in upper leaf axils. Flower spikes grow up to 60 mm (2 in) long, 23 mm (0.9 in) in diameter, and contain 3 to 12 groups of flowers in threes. Petals measure 1.5–3 mm (0.06–0.1 in) long and fall off as the flower ages. Stamens are arranged in five bundles around each flower, with 7 to 20 stamens per bundle. Flowering occurs mainly in summer, but flowers may also appear at other random times throughout the year. After flowering, the plant produces smooth, almost spherical woody capsules 3–7.5 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long, which are spaced along the branches. This species occurs naturally in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, where it grows in mallee or open woodland habitats. It is common on coastal dunes and cliffs, and also grows inland near creeks and rivers. In Western Australia, it has sometimes escaped from cultivation and become established in bushland outside its natural native range.
