Melaleuca ericifolia Sm.
Swamp Paperbark
Scientific name: Melaleuca ericifolia Sm.
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia
Year planted: Early garden, pre 1930s
Flowering: June – August
Description
It is a shrub-like tree, which can grow up to 12 metres high. The leaves are evergreen, dark green or glaucous when young.
The flowers are small, white or creamy-white and are very fragrant. They have very small petals, and all together they look like feathers.
The fruits are small brown capsules, and can remain on the tree for years.
Marimurtra’s specimen
It is 8 metres high and 6 metres wide, and you will find it in the Mediterranean garden.
It was probably planted at the beginnings of the garden.
Did you know that…?
The scent of its flowers attracts birds, thus helping pollination.
In Australia it is one of the most commonly used plants for natural fences and windbreaks.