Selected Trees and Shrubs
Melaleuca linearifolia; Common name: Paperback Tree
Plant Family: Myrtaceae or Clove family, which includes Guava (Psidium guajava), Rose Apple or Pomme Rose (Syzygium jambos) and Bay Leaf (Pimenta racemosa).
Description: One young specimen, about 8 m tall (25 ft), located on adjacent lawn, north of Forestry office; hardy evergreen, growing to 10 m (33 ft); bark grayish white, loose and scaly, can be easily pulled off in fairly large strips, hence its common name, Paperback (in contrast to smooth, tan bark of many Myrtaceae – Guava, Bay Leaf, Allspice); foliage graceful and feathery, with alternate, elongated, lanceolate, grayish-green leaves, smelling of camphor when crushed; flowers creamy-white, abundant and fragrant, born terminally on branches, bottle-brush like; seeds take about 12 months to develop on the plant; woody seed-capsules persist for 3 or more years. (Must not be confused with its cousin, Melaleuca quinquenervia, also called Paperback because of similar paper-like bark, an invasive nusance plant from Australia, now invading Florida and the islands of the Greater and Lesser Antilles).
Natural Habitat: Thrives in sunny locations, on varied soils, but especially coastal wetlands with light to heavy clays; propagation by seed and cuttings.
Origin and Distribution: Native of Tropical Asia and Australia, distributed variously in tropics and subtropics, including Florida.
Uses: Makes striking ornamental for lawns, avenues and screens; wood reportedly very durable in damp ground or wet conditions;medicinally, essential oil obtained from fresh leaves and twigs reportedly antibacterial; internally – oil used in treatment of chronic infections, notably cystitis, glandular fever and chronic fatigue; externally – used for headaches, thrush, vaginal infections, acne, athlete's foot, warts, insect bites and cold sores.
References:
Anon. [Joseph Jones?]. Official Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Dominica. Kew Gardens, London 1924? Catherine Rowland. Local Provenance Plant Species List. Annandale-on-the-Web, Australia 1998 (ramin.com.au) Melaleuca linariifolia. Plants for the Future. Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England n.d. (ibiblio.org)
Description: One young specimen, about 8 m tall (25 ft), located on adjacent lawn, north of Forestry office; hardy evergreen, growing to 10 m (33 ft); bark grayish white, loose and scaly, can be easily pulled off in fairly large strips, hence its common name, Paperback (in contrast to smooth, tan bark of many Myrtaceae – Guava, Bay Leaf, Allspice); foliage graceful and feathery, with alternate, elongated, lanceolate, grayish-green leaves, smelling of camphor when crushed; flowers creamy-white, abundant and fragrant, born terminally on branches, bottle-brush like; seeds take about 12 months to develop on the plant; woody seed-capsules persist for 3 or more years. (Must not be confused with its cousin, Melaleuca quinquenervia, also called Paperback because of similar paper-like bark, an invasive nusance plant from Australia, now invading Florida and the islands of the Greater and Lesser Antilles).
Natural Habitat: Thrives in sunny locations, on varied soils, but especially coastal wetlands with light to heavy clays; propagation by seed and cuttings.
Origin and Distribution: Native of Tropical Asia and Australia, distributed variously in tropics and subtropics, including Florida.
Uses: Makes striking ornamental for lawns, avenues and screens; wood reportedly very durable in damp ground or wet conditions;medicinally, essential oil obtained from fresh leaves and twigs reportedly antibacterial; internally – oil used in treatment of chronic infections, notably cystitis, glandular fever and chronic fatigue; externally – used for headaches, thrush, vaginal infections, acne, athlete's foot, warts, insect bites and cold sores.
References:
Anon. [Joseph Jones?]. Official Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Dominica. Kew Gardens, London 1924? Catherine Rowland. Local Provenance Plant Species List. Annandale-on-the-Web, Australia 1998 (ramin.com.au) Melaleuca linariifolia. Plants for the Future. Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England n.d. (ibiblio.org)
