Weeping bottlebrush (Pokok Berus Botol)

Melaleuca viminalis

Description

Melaleuca viminalis is a small tree growing up to 10 m, multi-trunked with hard bark. Leaves are 2 – 6cm long, narrow and elliptical. Inflorescences grow at the end of the branches in a bottlebrush shape. The leaves may continue to grow from the terminal apex of the inflorescence, so that the flowers appear as if “threaded” through the branches.

Place of origin

Eastern Australia – Queensland and New South Wales

Ethnobotanical uses

Melaleuca viminalis can survive strong currents during flood events slowing down the flow of floodwater and reducing erosion, thereby improving the water quality in streams and rivers. The matted roots of this species also strengthen the soil of riverbanks, further reducing the potential for erosion.

IUCN conservation status

Least Concern (LC)