Melaleuca pentagona var latifolia       16172

It is a dwarf shrub (0,3-1m x 0,5-2m), often with silky-hairy young growth. The stems are solitary to multiple. The many branches are spreading to ascending, often slender. The branchlets are becoming glabrous.

The leaves are 0,8-2cm x 0,1-0,2cm, oblong-cuneate, alternate, spreading to ascending, flat, thick, stiff, mainly glabrous. The apex is blunt or rounded.

The flowerheads are to about 1,5cm across, globular, many-flowered, in upper axils and on short branchlets, often appearing terminal. The new growth is emerging from the apex, usually profuse and very conspicuous. The flowers are to about 0,8cm across, pink to pinkish-purple. The calyx tube is somewhat bell-shaped, glabrous. The petals are very small, persistent.

The capsules are to about 0,4cm across, usually in crowded oval to globular clusters. The seeds are retained.

It responds well to pruning and can be used for hedging. It is useful for erosion control in sandy soils.

Medicinal plant
The leaf oil from this variety is monoterpenoid in character. The principal components encountered in the oils are myrtenal, a-pinene, 1,8-cineole. Other significant compounds identified are myrtenyl acetate (8-26%), myrtenal (1-5%), a-terpineol (1-3%) and limonene (1-4%). Sesquiterpenes are not prominent compounds in the oils of this variety, with globulol (0.1-0.8%) and spathulenol (0.2-0.9%) being the most prominent components.

References
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 Vol. 6 pag. 355-356. ISBN
- Melaleucas a field and garden guide, Ivan Holliday. 1989 pag. 154-155,212-213. ISBN
- Melaleucas, Their botany, essential oils and uses, Joseph J. Brophy, Lyndley A. Craven & John C. Doran. 2013 pag. 278-279. ISBN

- 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

Biological type: shrub
Frost resistance: 19ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: pink

Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 3,9ft x 3,9ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h
Foliage: evergreen
Growth: fast
Flowering time from April until May

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
Coastal soil: much

AUTUMN 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.

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.