Melaleuca wilsonii 970
Author: Ferdinand von Müller (1825-1896)Family: Myrtaceae Subfamily: Myrtoideae Tribe: Melaleuceae
Genus: Melaleuca
English name: Wilson's honey-myrtle
Zone: Australia
Description
It is a bushy, shrubby species from central and north-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia, where it occurs in gravelly, sandy or clay soils and is often found in depressions. It does best in a warm to hot sunny site but also is suitable for semi-shaded locations. Best suited to semi-arid and temperate regions. Hardy to heavy frosts and withstand s extended dry periods. It is named after Charles Wilson.
Experiences
Bought at the Issa nursery, it was part of the Melaleucas tested in 2012. We know it well. It lives in the interior areas of Australia in a more arid and grassy environment and flowering profusely just like Melaleuca gibbosa.
We have them from several nurseries and we have successfully cultivated them ourselves. He is also in our cuttings program for this year to investigate possible problems with this replication technique.
Melaleuca wilsonii Observed in Australia by Margaret Alcorn (license)
Botanical Description
It is a small to medium shrub with hairy young growth. The stems are solitary or multiple. The bark is corky on older stems. There are many branches, spreading to ascending, often arching, older ones sometimes become leafless. The branchlets are glaucous.
The leaves are 0,8-1,5cm x 0,1-0,2cm, linear lanceolate, decussate, sessile, spreading to ascending, glabrous, deep green, glandular, apex pointed.
The flower-heads are in lateral clusters of 2-5 flowers., forming short to long leafless or leafy spikes, usually profuse and very conspicuous. The flowers are about 1,5cm across, pale to deep pink or purplish pink. The petals are concave, glabrous. The calyx tube is cup-shaped, glabrous.
The capsules are to about 0,5cm across, toothed rim, somewhat corky, forming a woody spike. The seeds are retained.
The leaves are 0,8-1,5cm x 0,1-0,2cm, linear lanceolate, decussate, sessile, spreading to ascending, glabrous, deep green, glandular, apex pointed.
The flower-heads are in lateral clusters of 2-5 flowers., forming short to long leafless or leafy spikes, usually profuse and very conspicuous. The flowers are about 1,5cm across, pale to deep pink or purplish pink. The petals are concave, glabrous. The calyx tube is cup-shaped, glabrous.
The capsules are to about 0,5cm across, toothed rim, somewhat corky, forming a woody spike. The seeds are retained.
Useful plant
The plants can be pruned regularly and are suitable for hedging and screening as well as for general planting. The low-growing variant has pale pink flowers. Flowers attracts insects and nectar-eating birds.
References
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 Vol. 6 pag. 375. ISBN
- Melaleucas a field and garden guide, Ivan Holliday. 1989 pag. 246-247. ISBN
- Native trees and shrubs of South-Eastern Australia, Leon Costermans. 1996 pag. 250. ISBN
References
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 Vol. 6 pag. 375. ISBN
- Melaleucas a field and garden guide, Ivan Holliday. 1989 pag. 246-247. ISBN
- Native trees and shrubs of South-Eastern Australia, Leon Costermans. 1996 pag. 250. ISBN
References for the genus
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 pag. 81,315-318,436. ISBN
- A review of Melaleuca L.(Myrtaceae) in South Australia, Carrick, John and Chorney, K. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden 1979 pag. 281-319. JStor
- A revision of Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) in Northern and Eastern Australia, 1, Byrnes, N.B. Austrobaileya 1984 Vol. 1(1) pag. 65-76. DOI
- A revision of Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) in Northern and Eastern Australia, 2, N.B. Byrnes. Austrobaileya 1985 Vol. 2(2) pag. 131-146. JStor
- A revision of Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) in Northern and Eastern Australia, 3, Byrnes, N.B. Austrobaileya 1986 Vol. 2 pag. 254-273. DOI
- A revision of the genus Eremaea (Myrtaceae), Hnatiuk, RJ. Nuytsia 1993 Vol. 9(2) pag. 137-222. Address
- A taxonomic revision of Beaufortia (Myrtaceae: Melaleuceae)., Burbidge, Andrew A. Nuytsia 2016 Vol. 27. Address
- A taxonomic revision of the genus Calothamnus Labill.(Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae). Part 1. The 4-merous species [Western Australia], Hawkeswood, TJ. Nuytsia 1987 Vol. 6(1) pag. 67-126. Address
- Melaleuca revisited: cpDNA and morphological data confirm that Melaleuca L.(Myrtaceae) is not monophyletic, Edwards, Robert D and Craven, Lyn A and Crisp, Michael D and Cook, Lyn G. Taxon 2010 Vol. 59(3) pag. 744-754. Address
- Melaleucas a field and garden guide, Ivan Holliday. 1989. ISBN
- Melaleucas, Their botany, essential oils and uses, Joseph J. Brophy, Lyndley A. Craven & John C. Doran. 2013. ISBN
- Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Melaleuca, Callistemon and related genera (Myrtaceae), Brown, Gillian K and Udovicic, Frank and Ladiges, Pauline Y. Australian Systematic Botany 2001 Vol. 14(4) pag. 565-585. ResearchGate
- New combinations and names in Melaleuca (Myrtaceae), Craven, Lyn A and Edwards, Robert D and Cowley, Kirsten J. Taxon 2014 Vol. 63(3) pag. 663-670. DOI
- New names and combinations for some Melaleuca (Myrtaceae) species and subspecies from the south-west of Western Australia considered rare or threatened, Quinn, Francis C. and Cowley, K J and Barlow, Bryan A. (Bryan Alwyn), and Thiele, Kevin,. Nuytsia 1992 Vol. 8 pag. 333-350. Address
- Nine new species of Calothamnus Labill. (Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae) from Western Australia, Hawkeswood, Trevor. Nuytsia 1984 Vol. 5(1) pag. 123-153. ResearchGate
- Notes on Conothamnus Lindl. with the description of a new section, sect. Gongylocephalus Craven (Myrtaceae), Craven, Lyndley. Muelleria: An Australian Journal of Botany 2002 Vol. 16 pag. 39-42. DOI
- How to grow Bottle Brushes. Australian Plants 1960 Vol. 1(3). Address
- The use of Trees and Shrubs in the Dry Country of Australia, Norman Hall. 1972 pag. 386. ISBN
- A review of Melaleuca L.(Myrtaceae) in South Australia, Carrick, John and Chorney, K. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden 1979 pag. 281-319. JStor
- A revision of Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) in Northern and Eastern Australia, 1, Byrnes, N.B. Austrobaileya 1984 Vol. 1(1) pag. 65-76. DOI
- A revision of Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) in Northern and Eastern Australia, 2, N.B. Byrnes. Austrobaileya 1985 Vol. 2(2) pag. 131-146. JStor
- A revision of Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) in Northern and Eastern Australia, 3, Byrnes, N.B. Austrobaileya 1986 Vol. 2 pag. 254-273. DOI
- A revision of the genus Eremaea (Myrtaceae), Hnatiuk, RJ. Nuytsia 1993 Vol. 9(2) pag. 137-222. Address
- A taxonomic revision of Beaufortia (Myrtaceae: Melaleuceae)., Burbidge, Andrew A. Nuytsia 2016 Vol. 27. Address
- A taxonomic revision of the genus Calothamnus Labill.(Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae). Part 1. The 4-merous species [Western Australia], Hawkeswood, TJ. Nuytsia 1987 Vol. 6(1) pag. 67-126. Address
- Melaleuca revisited: cpDNA and morphological data confirm that Melaleuca L.(Myrtaceae) is not monophyletic, Edwards, Robert D and Craven, Lyn A and Crisp, Michael D and Cook, Lyn G. Taxon 2010 Vol. 59(3) pag. 744-754. Address
- Melaleucas a field and garden guide, Ivan Holliday. 1989. ISBN
- Melaleucas, Their botany, essential oils and uses, Joseph J. Brophy, Lyndley A. Craven & John C. Doran. 2013. ISBN
- Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Melaleuca, Callistemon and related genera (Myrtaceae), Brown, Gillian K and Udovicic, Frank and Ladiges, Pauline Y. Australian Systematic Botany 2001 Vol. 14(4) pag. 565-585. ResearchGate
- New combinations and names in Melaleuca (Myrtaceae), Craven, Lyn A and Edwards, Robert D and Cowley, Kirsten J. Taxon 2014 Vol. 63(3) pag. 663-670. DOI
- New names and combinations for some Melaleuca (Myrtaceae) species and subspecies from the south-west of Western Australia considered rare or threatened, Quinn, Francis C. and Cowley, K J and Barlow, Bryan A. (Bryan Alwyn), and Thiele, Kevin,. Nuytsia 1992 Vol. 8 pag. 333-350. Address
- Nine new species of Calothamnus Labill. (Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae) from Western Australia, Hawkeswood, Trevor. Nuytsia 1984 Vol. 5(1) pag. 123-153. ResearchGate
- Notes on Conothamnus Lindl. with the description of a new section, sect. Gongylocephalus Craven (Myrtaceae), Craven, Lyndley. Muelleria: An Australian Journal of Botany 2002 Vol. 16 pag. 39-42. DOI
- How to grow Bottle Brushes. Australian Plants 1960 Vol. 1(3). Address
- The use of Trees and Shrubs in the Dry Country of Australia, Norman Hall. 1972 pag. 386. ISBN
General specifications
Biological type: shrub
Frost resistance: 19ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: pink
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 9,8ft x 13,1ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: average
Flowering time from February until May
Ripe fruits in June
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 1x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Eucalyptus; forestry plate 8cm, forestry pot 3L, Airpot 12L, Airpot 50L, Airpot 800L
Propagation is done by cuttings
Units in the garden: 1x
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-900mm
Gravelly soil: much
Clay soil: much
Sandy soil: much
Ornemental: much
Frost resistance: 19ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: pink
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 9,8ft x 13,1ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: average
Flowering time from February until May
Ripe fruits in June
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 1x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Eucalyptus; forestry plate 8cm, forestry pot 3L, Airpot 12L, Airpot 50L, Airpot 800L
Propagation is done by cuttings
Units in the garden: 1x
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-900mm
Gravelly soil: much
Clay soil: much
Sandy soil: much
Ornemental: much
Sowing instructions
SPRING Sow the seeds on the surface of Well Drained Seed Sowing Mix between 68-77°F. During germination keep the substrate moist and in daylight. The seeds germinate in 3-6 weeks.
The average seed weight is 14285,7 per gram (0,00007g).
Germination references for the genus
- How to grow Bottle Brushes. Australian Plants 1960 Vol. 1(3). Address
Cuttings instructions
Take the cuttings in early spring, soak them in a hormonal preparation for cuttings. Plant them in a substrate rich in perlite and keep them sufficiently moist in sealed freezer bags.
The average seed weight is 14285,7 per gram (0,00007g).
Germination references for the genus
- How to grow Bottle Brushes. Australian Plants 1960 Vol. 1(3). Address
Cuttings instructions
Take the cuttings in early spring, soak them in a hormonal preparation for cuttings. Plant them in a substrate rich in perlite and keep them sufficiently moist in sealed freezer bags.
Experiences in the garden
09-05-12A Obtaining 1 plants from nursery Issa
19-03-18 1x Plant not found in garden: JTz1.
05-06-14B Obtaining seeds from seed provider Australian Seed collected in 'Australian Seed2'. (Cultivated from unknown origin)
21-08-14 Sown 200 seeds in a tray, they did not geminate.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand >77°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w
16-09-16C Obtaining seeds from seed provider Nindethana Seeds collected in 'Nindethana Seeds5>Bendigo'. (Wild origin)
11-10-17 Send a batch to nursery Railhet.
05-05-17D Obtaining 7 plants from nursery Issa, they are planted in zone(s) JTAust1 (Cultivated from unknown origin)
19-12-24 6x Dead plant due to root competition: JTAust.
04-01-18E Obtaining seeds from seed provider Nindethana Seeds collected in 'Nindethana Seeds8>Bendigo'. (Wild origin)
02-04-19 Sown seeds in a tray and germinated at 24-04-19, result: 29 units.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 64-72°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w
13-09-18F Obtaining 3 plants from nursery Arven (Cultivated from unknown origin)
21-01-19 3x Dead plant due to repotting without watering: Ombr13d A45.
15-09-18C Obtaining 12 plants from nursery Railhet, they are in our nursery Ombr13d 3x A45 (Formerly of wild origin)
25-05-21 7x Dead plant because of watering problem: Ombr13d A45.
21-01-19 2x Dead plant due to repotting without watering: Ombr13d A45.
. . . 2019E Production of 29 plants in our nursery: Resin17 1x A45 (Formerly of wild origin)
11-08-20 11x Dead plant because of substrate problem: Serre7 A3.
08-09-21 11x Dead plant due to repotting: Serre8 F2.
15-12-22 5x Plant not found in nursery: Serre8 F3.
05-04-24 1x Dead plant because of substrate problem: Serre9 A12.
. . . 2022D Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 21-06-22. Stock (Formerly of wild origin)
26-05-25 Sown 24 seeds in a seed plate ½ in Serre3.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w