About Melaleuca pallida (Bonpl.) Craven
Melaleuca pallida (Bonpl.) Craven is a shrub or tree that grows up to 8 m (30 ft) tall, with fibrous or papery bark. Its leaves are alternately arranged, measuring 20–79 mm (0.8–3 in) long and 4–17 mm (0.2–0.7 in) wide. The leaves are flat or broadly V-shaped, ranging from narrow elliptic to egg-shaped with the narrow end pointing toward the base, and end in a small point. Each leaf has a distinct mid-vein, 6 to 16 indistinct side veins, and many clearly visible oil glands. The flowers range in color from cream to yellow, and are occasionally pinkish-red. They are arranged in spikes at the ends of branches that continue growing after flowering, and sometimes also appear on the sides of branches. The flower spikes are 20–45 mm (0.8–2 in) in diameter and hold 15 to 50 individual flowers. The petals are 2.9–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long, and fall off as the flower ages. Each flower contains 34–70 stamens. Flowering takes place from October to February, and is followed by woody, cup-shaped capsule fruits that are 3.9–6.6 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. This species occurs from the Border Ranges area in far southeastern Queensland, through the ranges and slopes of New South Wales, to eastern Victoria. It is also found in all of Tasmania except its far west, and on some Bass Strait islands. It grows along streams and on wet, rocky slopes. In horticulture, Melaleuca pallida is sometimes cultivated under the name Callistemon pallidus. It is a hardy plant, adaptable to many types of soil, but requires full sun to grow.
