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Broad-leaved Paperbark
Melaleuca quinquenervia
-27.48, 152.971
Field Notes
Description:
The Broad-leaved Paperbark grows up to 20 metres tall and has characteristic papery bark. It is distributed along the east coast of Queensland and New South Wales, and is also found in New Guinea and New Caledonia. Broad-leaved Paperbarks flower between May and September providing a rich source of nectar for Lorikeets, Honey Eaters, Flying Foxes and Butterflies. Its leaves are also a food source for the threatened Koala. The trees resprouts vigorously from epicormic shoots after bushfire, and have been recorded flowering within weeks of being burnt. Trees can live for over 100 years. In Australia, it is the third most diverse plant genus (Melaleuca) with up to 250 species.
Habitat:
Grows in seasonally inundated plains and swampland in along the east coast of Australia. It grows in silty or swampy soil along estuary margins or in swamps, and is often the dominant species. It is a component of the savanna of western New Caledonia, scattered trees dotting the grassland habitat.
Notes:
These trees were spotted by the lake at the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Mt. Coot-Tha. This particular area of the gardens is known as the Melaleuca Wetlands.
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