imported>Neb: adding IUCN status

2023-03-25T05:10:46Z

adding IUCN status

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{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{italic title}}
{{speciesbox
|name = Saltwater paperbark
|image = Melaleuca cuticularis-IMG 0332.jpg
|image_caption = In the [[Bergianska trädgården|Stockholm Botanic Garden]], [[Sweden]]
|genus = Melaleuca
|species = cuticularis
|status = LC
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn |author=Gowland, K. |year=2022 |title=''Melaleuca cuticularis'' |volume=2022 |page=e.T172723087A172724309 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T172723087A172724309.en |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref>
|authority = [[Labill.]]<ref name="POWO">{{cite web |title=''Melaleuca cuticularis'' |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:597902-1 |publisher=Plants of the World Online |access-date=27 August 2021}}</ref>
|synonyms_ref = <ref name="POWO" />
|synonyms =
* ''Cajuputi cuticularis'' (Labill.) [[Homer Collar Skeels|Skeels]]
* ''Melaleuca abietina'' [[Sm.]]
* ''Myrtoleucodendron cuticulare'' (Labill.) [[Otto Kuntze|Kuntze]]
}}

'''''Melaleuca cuticularis''''', commonly known as the '''saltwater paperbark''' is a tree in the myrtle [[Family (biology)|family]], [[Myrtaceae]] and is native to the [[Southwest Australia|south-west]] of [[Western Australia]]. There is also a [[Disjunct distribution|disjunct]] population on [[Kangaroo Island]] in [[South Australia]]. It is distinguished from other melaleucas by its unusual fruits and very white, papery bark.

== Description ==
''Melaleuca cuticularis'' is usually a shrub growing to a height of {{convert|1-7|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} high but sometimes develops into a tree as high as {{convert|12|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=on}}. The leaves are linear to oblong, grey-green to dark green in colour and {{convert|4-12|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.5-3|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The trunk of ''M. cuticularis'' is covered in a pale papery bark and connects to rigid and torturous branches.<ref name="Brophy">{{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=136}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5900|title=Florabase - ''Melaleuca cuticularis'' Labill.|year=2008|accessdate=2008-10-28}}</ref>

The flowers are in groups of three, white or cream in colour, located on the ends of the branches and surrounded by overlapping brown [[bract]]s. ''M. cuticularis'' flowers between the months of September and January<ref name=ANBG>{{cite web|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp9/melaleuca-cuticularis.html|title=Australian National Botanic Gardens - Growing Native Plants - ''Melaleuca cuticularis''|year=2008|accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref> and the fruit which follow are woody [[Capsule (botany)|capsules]] appearing star-shaped when viewed end-on. The fruits are generally solitary and {{convert|6-11|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="Brophy" /><ref name=Holliday>{{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=78–79|edition=2nd}}</ref>
[[File:Melaleuca cuticularis (habit).JPG|thumb|225px|Habit near [[Ravensthorpe, Western Australia|Ravensthorpe]]]]
[[File:Melaleuca cuticularis (fruits).JPG|thumb|225px|Fruit]]
[[File:Melaleuca cuticularis (bark).JPG|thumb|225px|Bark]]

==Taxonomy and naming==
This species was first formally described in 1806 by [[Jacques Labillardière]] in ''[[Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen]]'' from a specimen he collected during the 1791 [[Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux|d'Entrecasteux]] expedition.<ref name=APNI>{{cite web|title=''Melaleuca cuticularis''|url=https://biodiversity.org.au/boa/instance/apni/510278|publisher=APNI|accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=Labill>{{cite book|last1=Labillardière|first1=Jacques Julien|title=Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen: volume 2|date=1806|location=Paris|page=30|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQ9JAAAAcAAJ|accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref> The [[Botanical name|specific epithet]] (''cuticulata'') is from the [[Latin]] ''cuticula'', meaning "pertaining to the cuticle", referring to the numerous strips of skin-like bark coming away from the trunk and branches.<ref name=ANBG />

==Distribution and habitat==
''Melaleuca cuticularis'' is able to grow in [[saline water|saline]] wetlands such as [[swamp]]s and [[estuary|estuaries]]. It is common in coastal regions south of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] stretching to [[Israelite Bay]], in the [[Avon Wheatbelt]], [[Esperance Plains]], [[Jarrah Forest]], [[Swan Coastal Plain]] and [[Warren (biogeographic region)|Warren]] [[IBRA|biogeographic regions]].<ref name=FloraBase>{{FloraBase|name=''Melaleuca cuticularis''|id = 5900}}</ref> It also occurs, although uncommonly, on [[Kangaroo Island]] in [[South Australia]].<ref name=Flora>{{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=393}}</ref>

==Conservation status==
''Melaleuca cuticularis'' is listed as "not threatened" by the [[Government of Western Australia]] [[Department of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia)|Department of Parks and Wildlife]].<ref name="FloraBase" />

==Use in horticulture==
This species is ideal for [[sand]]y clay, [[loam]]y clay and [[clay]] [[soil]]s and is commonly used for soil stabilisation and revegetation. It is also shade and [[drought]] tolerant so can be used in hedges or windbreaks.<ref name ="Holliday" /> It can be used as a specimen plant featuring its attractive bark contrasting with light green foliage.<ref name=Wrigley>{{cite book|last1=Wrigley|first1=John W.|last2=Fagg|first2=Murray|title=Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping|date=1983|publisher=Collins|location=Sydney|isbn=0002165759|page=262|edition=2nd}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q6811006}}

[[Category:Melaleuca|cuticularis]]
[[Category:Myrtales of Australia]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1806]]
[[Category:Rosids of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Trees of Australia]]
[[Category:Endemic flora of Southwest Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of Kangaroo Island]]

Melaleuca cuticularis - Revision history

imported>Neb: adding IUCN status