Melaleuca radula

Melaleuca radula is a spreading shrub, growing to {{convert|5|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} tall with coarse bark. Its leaves are arranged in alternating pairs (decussate) so that they make four rows along the branches. The leaves are {{convert|10-45|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|0.7-2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide, linear to elliptic in shape with the sides turned up so that they are crescent moon-shaped in cross section. There are prominent oil glands on the lower surface.{{cite book|last1=Brophy|first1=Joseph J.|last2=Craven|first2=Lyndley A.|last3=Doran|first3=John C.|title=Melaleucas : their botany, essential oils and uses|date=2013|publisher=Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research|location=Canberra|isbn=9781922137517|page=304}}{{cite book|last1=Holliday|first1=Ivan|title=Melaleucas : a field and garden guide|date=2004|publisher=Reed New Holland Publishers|location=Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.|isbn=1876334983|pages=240–241|edition=2nd}}

The flowers are white or more usually a shade of pink to mauve. They are arranged in pairs of up to 5, the flowers on opposite sides of the branches forming a spike up to {{convert|40|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|30|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} in diameter. The petals are {{convert|4.5-6.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and fall off as the flower matures. There are five bundles of stamens around the flower, each with 30 to 90 stamens giving the spike a fluffy appearance. Flowering mostly occurs from July to September, and is followed by fruit which are woody, almost spherical capsules, {{convert|4-6|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} in diameter in clusters along the stem.

File:Melaleuca radula (habit).JPG]]

File:Melaleuca radula (fruits).JPG

Melaleuca radula was first formally described in 1839 by John Lindley in an appendix to Edwards Botanical Register entitled A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.{{cite web|title=Melaleuca radula|url= https://biodiversity.org.au/boa/instance/apni/543100|publisher=APNI|access-date=7 June 2015}} The specific epithet (radula) is derived from Latin word meaning “a scraper”{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page=647}} but it is not clear why Lindley chose this name.{{Wikisourcepar|Edwards's Botanical Register/Appendix to the first twenty-three volumes/A sketch of the vegetation of the Swan River Colony/Myrtaceae#f. 24}}

This melaleuca occurs in and between the Kalbarri, Perth and Norseman districts in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Murchison, Swan Coastal Plain and Yalgoo biogeographic regions.{{FloraBase|name=Melaleuca radula|id = 5958}} It grows in sandy and gravelly soils often near granite or laterite and near creeks and streams.{{cite book|last1=Paczkowska|first1=Grazyna|last2=Chapman|first2=Alex R.|title=The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue|date=2000|publisher=Wildflower Society of Western Australia|location=Perth|isbn=0646402439|page=397}}

Melaleuca radula is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.

The leaves were boiled with water to make antiseptic mouthwashes for treating sore gums and for external application to sores and other skin problems. Internally, the decoction was used for upset stomachs and indigestion. Young leaves were chewed for headaches.{{cite Q|Q113330855|pages=82–83}}

The compound, terpinen-4-ol, is thought to be responsible for the antibacterial and antiseptic quality of the melaleuca oil.{{Cite book|title=Australian medicinal plants|last1=Lassak|first1=E.V.|first2=T.|last2=McCarthy|publisher=New Holland|year=2001|isbn=1876334703|location=Sydney}}

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radula

Category:Myrtales of Australia

Category:Plants described in 1839

Category:Rosids of Western Australia

Category:Endemic flora of Western Australia