Communities

Scientific Name

Melaleuca ericifolia

Family Name

MYRTACEAE

Common Name

Swamp Paper Bark

Status

Height

4.0m - 8.0m (400-800cm)

Flowers

Creamy white in spikes

Fruit

Woody capsule

Form

Tall shrub or small tree

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Circular Head; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Kentish; King Island; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar

Communities

Coastal Vegetation; Riparian; Wet Eucalypt Forest

Habitat Notes

Withstands severe coastal conditions and is moderately frost hardy. Occurs as a dominant of forest and scrub in poorly drained areas with moderately fertile soil. It also extends as an understorey species in eucalypt forest.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Shady; Waterlogged; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Clay; Fertile; Poorly-drained

General Notes

Recommended for wet areas and as a second line windbreak in coastal conditions. Will take salt exposure but needs protection of front line plants. Good for shady areas and for attracting birds. Susceptible to browsing by possums and wallabies. Not suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seed persistent

Seed Treatment Method

Smoke

Seed Storage Life

Long

Viable Seeds Per Gram

1500

Seed Treatment Notes

Untreated seed has good results but smoke significantly increases germination.Very fine seed which needs light.

Germination Time

2-5 weeks

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Yes

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes