Melaleuca uncinata – Wikipedia

Description:
– Broombush is a multistemmed evergreen shrub usually less than 2m in height.
– It is often found in association with mallee eucalypts.
– The leaves are linear in shape, almost circular in cross-section, and tapering to a distinctly curved hook.
– Flowers are white, cream, or yellow, arranged in dense almost spherical heads.
– The fruit is closely packed together forming a group with a diameter of 7–13mm.

Taxonomy:
– Melaleuca uncinata was first described in 1812 by Robert Brown.
– The specific epithet “uncinatus” means bearing hooks or barbed.
– A review of the species was undertaken by Lyndley Craven in 1994.
– Some populations have been identified as new species.
– Populations in Queensland and New South Wales may represent another taxon.

Distribution and habitat:
– Melaleuca uncinata occurs in the Coolgardie-Esperance region of Western Australia.
– It is also found on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.
– Its distribution extends eastwards to western Victoria and south-western New South Wales.

Ecology:
– Melaleuca uncinata is the only known host of the critically endangered Rhizanthella gardneri, the underground orchid.

Uses:
Building material:
– Ornamental brushwood fencing comprising the grey stems, twigs, and dry foliage of Melaleuca uncinata has been in use in Australia for more than 80 years.
– It is an important market for melaleucas, representing only 1% of the fencing market in Western Australia.
– Other uses include the manufacture of garden furniture, gazebos, and hanging baskets.
– About 600,000 bundles of brushwood were used in Australia in 1994.
– There was a predicted annual market growth of 5.5%.

Essential oils:
– The leaves of Melaleuca uncinata have been analyzed for their oil content.
– Different types of oil are collected from two groups of plants.
– One group contained 1,8-cineole as its major component.
– The other group contained terpinen-4-ol.