Common Name: Swamp Paperbark

General Information

Melaleuca viridiflora is an evergreen plant that ranges in habit from a crooked shrub growing only 1 - 2 metres tall to a medium-sized tree reaching a height of up to 25 metres[].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a source of wood for local use. It can be used as an ornamental in coastal areas, for shelter, and amenity plantings and it is a good source of pollen for bees[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - W. Australia, N. Territory, Queensland to New Guinea.

Habitat

Mainly found in lowland coastal marshes, seasonal swamps and estuarine plains, though it can also occur on slopes and ridges in undulating country at elevations from sea level to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A versatile, tropical plant, able to grow in climates ranging from arid to moist, being found at elevations up to 1,000 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 22 - 38°c, but can tolerate 12 - 43°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 400 - 1,600mm, but tolerates 200 - 1,800mm[].
Succeeds in a range of humus-rich soils, requiring a sunny position[]. Found in the wild on sand, sandstone and sometimes clay soils in Western Australia[]. Plants can tolerate flooding[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 7.5, but can tolerate 4.5 - 8[].
The plant has a free-seeding and suckering habit, which makes it a potential weed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves[]. Known as 'Niaouli oil', it has antiseptic properties[]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, neuralgia and rheumatism[].
The oil contains about 67% cineole[].
It is quite likely that the above report actually refers to M. Quinquenervia, which has been classified as M. Viridiflora var, rubriflora in the past[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves[]. It is mainly used medicinally[]. About 50 - 75 kilos of fresh leaves yield 500ml of oil[].
It is quite likely that the above report actually refers to M. Quinquenervia, which has been classified as M. viridiflora var, rubriflora in the past[].

The wood is used for posts and poles[].
It can be used as fuel and for charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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