Melaleuca subulata is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to south eastern Australia. (Some Australian state herbaria continue to use the name Callistemon subulatus). It is a small, spreading shrub with hard bark, dense foliage, cylindrical leaves and spikes of dark crimson flowers in summer.
Description
Melaleuca subulata is a shrub growing to 1–2 m (3–7 ft) high with hard, fibrous bark. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are 18–50 mm (0.7–2 in) long, 1–3.1 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide, cylindrical or shaped like a bradawl.
The flowers are a deep crimson colour and are arranged in spikes at the end of, or around the branches which continue to grow after flowering. The spikes are 30–60 mm (1–2 in) in diameter and 40–80 mm (2–3 in) long with 20 to 80 individual flowers. The petals are 2.5–5.2 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and fall off as the flower ages and there are 16-27 stamens in each flower. Flowering occurs from November to May and is followed by fruit which are woody capsules, 3–5.1 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) in diameter.
Habit in the Australian National Botanic GardensFoliage
