Paperbark
Tree
is
a kind of eucalypt found in Australia.
It can be any of the more than 200 species belonging to
the genus Melaleuca in the family Myrtaceae, which are mostly endemic
to Australia.
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Bark and Uses of Melaleucas
Paperbarks have got their name from their bark, which can be
pulled off the tree trunk like paper. It was very useful for Aboriginal
people
who used it as bandages, cradles, sleeping mats and wrapping food when
cooking. Other Melaleucas were used as bush medicine, particularly the
famous Ti Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), which is
still today
used for its essential oil that is antibiotic. Melaleucas have got
evergreen leaves and flowers that can be red, pink, yellow or greenish.
Their height can vary between 2 and 30 metres. They are related to Bottle
Brush Plants (Callistemon),
and the main difference between the two is how the stamens are grouped
on the flowers. Melaleucas are mostly found in open forest, scrubland
and woodland, and they often grow near the water like along swamps and
riverbanks.
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A Few Species of Paperbark Tree
Broad-leaved Paperbark Tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
is mostly a small or medium-sized tree with creamy or greenish flowers,
light-coloured bark and broad leaves, which is found along the eastern
coast of Australia between Sydney
in south and the top of Cape
York
peninsula in north. Long-leaved Paperbark
(Melaleuca leucadendra)
is a tall tree with white to creamy flowers, white bark and up to 20cm
long leaves, which is found in northern Australia, between Rockhampton
in east and Broome
in west. Scented Paperbark (Melaleuca
squarrosa) is a shrub or small tree with creamy or yellow
flowers,
small leaves and pale grey bark, which is found in whole Tasmania, and
in the coastal areas of Victoria,
eastern South
Australia and southern New
South Wales south of Sydney. Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca
ericifolia)
is a small tree or small shrub with a low crown, pale bark, creamy to
yellow flowers and narrow leaves, and it is found in places along the
coasts of Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.
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A Few Species of Other Melaleucas
Broad Leaved Tea Tree (Melaleuca viridiflora)
is a straggly scrub with pale bark, broad leaves and creamy or greenish
yellow flowers, which is found along the whole coast of Queensland,
Cape York peninsula and Gulf
Savannah, northern and inland parts of Northern
Territory, and the Kimberley
region of Western
Australia. Prickly-leaved Tea Tree (Melaleuca
styphelioides)
is a small or medium sized tree with alternate leaves, creamy and white
flowers and spongy light-coloured bark, which is found along the coast
of New South Wales and southern Queensland.
Bracelet Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca
armillaris)
is a small tree or large shrub dark to light bark, alternate leaves and
cream or pink flowers which is mainly found along the coast of New
South Wales, but also in parts of Victoria, South Australia, and Flinders
Island north of Tasmania.
Note:
This site uses
British English, which is the English we use in Australia. You will
find words like "traveller", "harbour" and "realise", and they are all
correct in the language used in Australia.
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