Melaleuca alternifolia

Description

Melaleuca alternifolia is a small tree that can grow to about 7 m with a bushy crown and whitish, papery bark. The leaves are arranged alternately, sometimes scattered or whorled. The leaves are smooth, soft, linear in shape, 10-35 mm long, and 1 mm wide. They are also rich in oil with the glands prominent.

Flowers occur in white or cream-colored masses of spikes 3-5 cm long over a short period, mostly spring to early summer, and give the tree an appearance of looking fluffy. The small, woody, cup-shaped fruit, 2–3 mm in diameter, are scattered along the branches.

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first formally described in 1905 by Joseph Maiden and Ernst Betche and given the name Melaleuca linariifolia var. alternifolia in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. In 1925, Edwin Cheel raised the variety to species status as Melaleuca alternifolia. The specific epithet (alternifolia) is derived from the Latin alternus meaning "alternate" and folium meaning "leaf", referring to the leaf arrangement.

Distribution and habitat

Melaleuca alternifolia is endemic to Australia and is found from the Grafton district in New South Wales as far inland as Stroud and in coastal districts north to Maryborough in Queensland. It grows along streams and in swampy places.

Uses

Horticulture

This species grows well in a wide range of soils and climates. It prefers moist, but well-drained soils and full sun.

Traditional medicine and potential toxicity

Tea tree has been used as a folk medicine treatment among Indigenous Australians of eastern inland areas who use tea trees by inhaling the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds. They also sprinkle leaves on wounds, after which a poultice is applied. In addition, tea tree leaves are soaked to make an infusion to treat sore throats or skin ailments.

Characteristic of the myrtle family Myrtaceae, it is used to distill essential oil. Tea tree oil is commonly used as a treatment for acne, although evidence is limited that it is effective for this purpose.

If ingested, tea tree oil is toxic with serious side effects, including coma, and may cause skin irritation if used topically in high concentrations. As of 2006, no deaths were reported in the medical literature.

Gallery

Image:Melaleuca alternifolia (Maria Serena).jpg|M. alternifolia (cultivated) growing in Menton, France Image:Melaleuca alternifolia fruits.jpg|M. alternifolia fruits Image:Melaleuca alternifolia bark.jpg|M. alternifolia bark Image:Melaleuca alternifolia (Maria Serena) tree.jpg|M. alternifolia tree Image:Melaleuca alternifolia (Maria Serena) flowers.jpg|M. alternifolia flowers

References

References

1. "''Melaleuca alternifolia''". Plants of the World Online.
2. "''Melaleuca alternifolia''". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
3. Holliday, Ivan. (2004). "Melaleucas: a field and garden guide". Reed New Holland Publishers.
4. "''Melaleuca linariifolia'' var. ''alternifolia''". APNI.
5. (1905). "Notes from the Botanic Gardens, Sydney No. 10". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales.
6. "''Melaleuca alternifolia''". APNI.
7. (1924). "Notes on ''Melaleuca'' with descriptions of two new species and a new variety". Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales.
8. (2013). "Melaleucas : their botany, essential oils and uses". Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
9. (2006-01-01). "''Melaleuca alternifolia'' (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties". Clinical Microbiology Reviews.
10. "''Melaleuca alternifolia''". Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
11. (1 October 2020). "Tea tree oil". MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
12. (1991). "Australian tea tree oil: a natural antiseptic and fungicidal agent". Aust. J. Pharm.
13. Low, T. 1990. ''Bush Medicine.'' Harper Collins Publishers, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
14. (2006). "''Melaleuca alternifolia'' (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties". Clinical Microbiology Reviews.