Melaleuca quinquenervia

Species category

Shrub or Tree, Weed

Common name

punktree, cajeput, paperbark

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Conical

Size

  • Length 1–1.4 mm
  • Width 0.1–0.4 mm
  • Thickness 0.1–0.4 mm

Color

Brown to white

Texture

ReticulatedReticulated:
Resembling a net or network, especially having veins, fibers, or lines crossing the surface.  

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is white or brown at the base.

Identification notes

ApexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
flat or rounded.

Noxious weed seed categories

Federal

Learn more on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Myrtaceae

Valid name

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake

Synonyms

Melaleuca leucadendron auct. non (L.) L., orth. var.
Melaleuca leucadendra auct. non (L.) L.

 Melaleuca quinquenervia.  Brown to white seeds. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Melaleuca quinquenervia. Brown to white seeds. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Melaleuca quinquenervia.  Seeds with a white or brown hilum at the base. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Melaleuca quinquenervia. Seeds with a white or brown hilum at the base. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.