Melaleuca hirsuta 2077
Author: (Trevor J. Hawkeswood (1956-)) Lyndley Alan Craven (1945-2014) & Robert David Edwards (1981-)Family: Myrtaceae Subfamily: Myrtoideae Tribe: Melaleuceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Synonym(s): Calothamnus hirsutus
English name: Hairy Melaleuca
Zone: Australia
Description
This species is known from the Irwin and northern Darling District, where it occurs in sandy, heathland soils. This plant must have excellent drainage and maximum sunshine to grow well. It is best suited to semi-arid and warm, temperate regions which lack heavy frosts. The specific epithet means that it is hairy.
Melaleuca hirsuta Observed in Australia by Russell Cumming (license)
Botanical Description
It is a dwarf to small shrub (0,6-1,3cm x 0,6-1,3cm) with densely hairy young growth. The bark is corky on older branches. The branches are ascending to erect. The branchlets are hairy.
The leaves are 1,5-3cm x less than 0,1cm, linear, terete or faintly flattened, ascending to erect, crowded, hairy or more or less glabrous. The apex is pointed but not pungent.
The flowers are usually 4-8 in clusters surrounding the stems or sometimes one-sided among leaves. The calyx tube is hairy. There are 5 staminal bundles, to 3cm long, deep red, glabrous, with dark brown anthers, often profuse and conspicuous.
The fruit is to about 0,6cm across, globular, becoming glabrous.
Calothamnus breviflorus is allied but is a dwarf shrub with much shorter leaves and dark pink flowers. C. accedens is a taller shrub with flowers usually in one-sided clusters.
The leaves are 1,5-3cm x less than 0,1cm, linear, terete or faintly flattened, ascending to erect, crowded, hairy or more or less glabrous. The apex is pointed but not pungent.
The flowers are usually 4-8 in clusters surrounding the stems or sometimes one-sided among leaves. The calyx tube is hairy. There are 5 staminal bundles, to 3cm long, deep red, glabrous, with dark brown anthers, often profuse and conspicuous.
The fruit is to about 0,6cm across, globular, becoming glabrous.
Calothamnus breviflorus is allied but is a dwarf shrub with much shorter leaves and dark pink flowers. C. accedens is a taller shrub with flowers usually in one-sided clusters.
Useful plant
This species is attractive for nectar-feeding birds who visit the flowers.
References
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 pag. C77. ISBN
- Nine new species of Calothamnus Labill. (Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae) from Western Australia, Hawkeswood, Trevor. Nuytsia 1984 Vol. 5(1) pag. 138-141. ResearchGate
References
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 pag. C77. ISBN
- Nine new species of Calothamnus Labill. (Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae) from Western Australia, Hawkeswood, Trevor. Nuytsia 1984 Vol. 5(1) pag. 138-141. ResearchGate
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: red
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 4,9ft x 4,9ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: average
Flowering time from April until August
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
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-600mm
Sandy soil: much
Draining soil: much
Frost resistance: 19ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: red
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 4,9ft x 4,9ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: average
Flowering time from April until August
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
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-600mm
Sandy soil: much
Draining soil: much
Sowing instructions
AUTUMN Sow the seeds on the surface of Well Drained Seed Sowing Mix between 64-72°F. During germination keep the substrate moist and in daylight. The seeds germinate in 3-6 weeks.
The average seed weight is 729,9 per gram (0,00137g).
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 729,9 per gram (0,00137g).
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
23-05-14A Obtaining seeds from seed provider Australian Seed collected in 'Australian Seed1'. (Cultivated from unknown origin)
21-08-14 Sown 200 seeds in a tray, they did not geminate.
Protocol: Autumn Smoked Vermiculite 2mm Sowing mix+Sand >77°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w
12-04-17B Obtaining seeds from seed provider Nindethana Seeds collected in 'Nindethana Seeds6>South Eneabba Nature Reserve'. (Wild origin)
25-10-18C Obtaining seeds from seed provider Nindethana Seeds collected in 'Nindethana Seeds9>South Eneabba Nature Reserve'. (Wild origin)
07-08-19 Sown 2 seeds in a tray and germinated at 20-08-19, result: 9 units.
Protocol: Autumn Smoked Vermiculite 2mm Sowing mix+Sand >77°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w
. . . 2019C Production of 9 plants in our nursery (Formerly of wild origin)
10-09-20 7x Dead plant due to planting to young: Serre7 F2.
20-03-23 2x Dead plant: No information: Ombr6g A12.
22-03-21D Obtaining seeds from seed provider Rare Plants collected in 'Rare Plants10'. (Cultivated from unknown origin)
04-05-21 Sown 20 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 24-06-21, result: 2 units in Serre3.
Protocol: Spring Smoked Vermiculite 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Marsh 3-6w
20-09-22 Sown 20 seeds in a seed plate ½ and germinated at 28-10-22 but the seedlings did not survive in Serre3.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light 3w
28-09-23 Sown 20 seeds in a seed plate ½ and germinated at 24-10-23, result: 4 units in Serre3.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w
16-09-24 Sown 24 seeds in a seed plate ½ and germinated at 10-10-24, result: 24 units in Serre3.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand 64-72°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w
16-12-23E Obtaining seeds from seed provider Australian Seed collected in 'Australian Seed12'. Stock (Cultivated from unknown origin)
16-09-24 Sown 24 seeds in a seed plate ½ and germinated at 10-10-24, result: 25 units in Serre3.
Protocol: Autumn Surface Sowing mix+Sand 64-72°F Damp substrate+Light 3-6w
. . . 2023D Production of 2 plants in our nursery: Serre3 2x F2 (Formerly of wild origin)