Melaleuca linariifolia
Flax-Leaved Paper-Bark
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Melaleuca genus in the family Myrtaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An essential oil obtained from the fresh leaves and twigs is antibacterial[1]. It is used in the treatment of headaches[1]. One report says that the oil is very similar to tea tree oil, obtained from M. alternifolia[11]. The uses of that oil are as follows:- Tea tree, and in particular its essential oil, is one of the most important natural antiseptics and it merits a place in every medicine chest[11]. It is useful for treating stings, burns, wounds and skin infections of all kinds[11]. An essential oil obtained from the leaves and twigs is strongly antiseptic, diaphoretic and expectorant[2][3][9]. It stimulates the immune system and is effective against a broad range of bacterial and fungal infections[9]. Internally, it is used in the treatment of chronic and some acute infections, notably cystitis, glandular fever and chronic fatigue syndrome[11]. It is used externally in the treatment of thrush, vaginal infections, acne, athlete's foot, verrucae, warts, insect bites, cold sores and nits[9]. It is applied neat to verrucae, warts and nits, but is diluted with a carrier oil such as almond for other uses[9]. The oil is non-irritant[9]. Another report says that high quality oils contain about 40% terpinen-4-ol, which is well tolerated by the skin and 5% cineol which is irritant. However, in poor quality oils the levels of cineol can exceed 10% and in some cases up to 65%[11]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Antiseptic'[8].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An essential oil from the leaves has a nutmeg scent[2]. It is used medicinally[1]. Plants can be used for hedging in climates that are suitable for them[3]. Wood - very durable in damp ground or wet conditions[4].
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia.
- Habitat
- Wet and swampy places near the coast, also on the coastal plateaux, often on shale[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn onto a pot of permanently moist soil in a warm greenhouse. Emmerse in 5cm of water and do not water from overhead. Grow on until the seedlings are 0.5cm tall then remove from the water and pot up a week later. Seedlings are liable to damp off when grown this way, sowing the seed thinly, good ventilation and hygiene are essential for success[7]. Grow the plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and then plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe lateral shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a fertile, well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil in full sun[5]. Prefers a soil that does not contain much nitrogen[6]. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, though it should succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[3] but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. One report says that it can tolerate occasional lows to about -5°c[12]. Plants can be difficult to establish[4]. The flowers are fragrant[10]. Seed takes about 12 months to develop on the plant, the woody seed capsules persist for 3 or more years[7]. Any pruning is best done after the plants have flowered with the intention of maintaining a compact habit[7]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].
References
Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0
Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5