Common name: Scented Paper-bark
Melaleuca squarrosa Donn ex Sm. APNI* 
Description: Shrub or small tree to 12 m high with papery bark.
Leaves opposite to ± opposite, ovate to broad-ovate, 5–15 mm long, 4–7 mm wide, apex acute to sharply acuminate, 5–7 longitudinal veins usually visible, glabrous or occasionally hispid; petiole to 1 mm long.
Inflorescences ± terminal, dense spikes 1.5–4 cm long; rachis villous. Flowers in threes in each bract, white to yellowish, petals sometimes tinged with pink. Petals ovate to ± circular, up to 2 mm long. Stamens sparsely hairy, 6–12 per bundle; claw up to 2 mm long.
Fruit cup-shaped, c. 4 mm diam., orifice c. 3 mm diam.; sepals not persistent in fruit.
Flowering: summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in heath and dry sclerophyll forest in damp places; coastal districts and adjacent ranges south of Kempsey.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, CT, ST
Other Australian states: Vic. Tas. S.A.
Text by Peter. G. Wilson
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 2 (1991)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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