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Melaleuca alternifolia

 
Wikipedia: Melaleuca alternifolia
Melaleuca alternifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species: M. alternifolia
Binomial name
Melaleuca alternifolia
(Maiden & Betche) Cheel[1]

Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as Narrow-leaved Paperbark, Narrow-leaved Tea-tree, Narrow-leaved Ti-tree, or Snow-in-summer, is a species of tree or tall shrub in the plant genus Melaleuca. Native to Australia, it occurs on the north coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales. It grows along streams and on swampy flats, and is often the dominant species where it occurs.

Contents

Growth

Leaves are linear, 10-35 mm long and 1 mm wide. White flowers occur in spikes 3-5 cm long. Small woody, cup-shaped fruit are 2-3 mm in diameter.[2]

Medicinal uses

Characteristic of the myrtle family Myrtaceae, it has essential oils. It is the primary species for commercial production of Tea tree oil (melaleuca oil), a topical antibacterial and antifungal used in a range of products including antiseptics, deodorants, shampoos, soaps and lotions.

References

  1. ^ "Melaleuca alternifolia information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?402629. Retrieved 2008-04-16. 
  2. ^ Harden, G.J., (ed), Flora of New South Wales, Vol. 2, 1991, ISBN 0-86840-172-2

External links



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Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Melaleuca alternifolia" Read more