Common Name: Paperbark

General Information

Melaleuca leucadendra is an evergreen tree that can grow 22 - 43 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 100 - 150cm in diameter[].
The plant is a source of the essential oil known as cajuput oil[]. It is harvested from the wild for its oil and various medicinal uses; it is also often cultivated for this oil and for its timber[, ]. The tree is also grown as an ornamental in parks and large gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - northern and western Australia to New Caledonia and Malaysia.

Habitat

Found mainly on flat or very gentle topography, especially river flats, coastal plains or seasonal swamps, at elevations up to 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 28 - 37°c, but can tolerate 18 - 40°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 800 - 1,400mm, but tolerates 650 - 1,600mm[].
Prefers a moisture-retentive to wet, neutral to acid soil and a position in full sun[]. Tolerates light and saline soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 8.5[]. Plants are able to withstand periodic inundation of the soil and strong currents. Established plants are drought tolerant[]. Plants are very wind-firm, able to tolerate salt-laden gales[].
On some sites, the plant has the potential of escaping from cultivation and becoming a weed[].
A moderately fast-growing plant[].
Annual wood production potential is 10 - 16 cubic metres per hectare[].
Trees usually survive forest fires[].

Edible Uses

The essential oil is used as a flavouring in items such as candy, baked goods, condiments, relishes etc[, ].

The fruits and leaves are used to make a tea[].

Medicinal

An essential oil obtained from the leaves contains several terpenoids including 50 - 60% of the strongly antiseptic cineole, betapinene and alpha-terpineol[]. It is aromatic and stimulant with a strong camphoraceous aroma. It is expectorant, relieves spasms, increases perspiration and expels internal parasites[].
It is used internally in the treatment of bronchitis, tuberculosis, colds, sinusitis, gastric infections and roundworms[]. Externally, it is used to treat rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, acne, nasal congestion, sinusitis, toothache, chilblains and skin diseases[].

The leaves possess antibacterial, antiinflammatory and anodyne properties. They are effectivc in the treatment of conditions such as coryza, influenza, coughs, asthma, dyspepsia, earache, toothache, rheumatism, osteodynia, neuralgia, wounds, bums and post-partum haematometra[].

The leaves and twigs can be harvested at any time of the year and used fresh, dried or the essential oil can be extracted[].
This herb, especially in the form of the essential oil, is subject to legal restrictions in some countries[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the twigs and fresh leaves[]. Called cajeput oil, it has an agreeable camphor-like aroma[]. It is used in detergents, soaps, perfumery and insect repellents[].

The wood is hard, heavy and close-grained[]. Durable in moist soil, it is used for ship building, mine timber, boat building, railway ties, posts etc[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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