Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Melaleuca linearis Schrad. & J.C.Wendl. (1796)
Synonymy:
  • Callistemon linearis (Schrad. & J.C.Wendl.) DC., Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 3, 223 (1828)
  • = Callistemon rigidus R.Br. (1819)
 Description

Shrub to c. 2 m high, with spreading habit and angular shoots. Young shoots and lvs densely clothed in silky hairs, pinkish brown, becoming glabrous. Lvs sessile, 5–11 cm × c. 4 mm, narrow-linear, rigid, green and strongly coriaceous at maturity, aromatic when bruised, glandular-punctate below; midrib prominent and lateral; veins forming thickened margins; apex pungent-acute. Infl. densely hairy at first, becoming glabrous, 6–9 cm long. Sepals c. 2 mm long, ± broad-ovate, pinkish. Petals c. 5 mm diam., green, ± hairy outside. Stamens 2–3 cm long; filaments deep crimson, occasionally paler; anthers c. 1–1.5 mm long, dark reddish. Style slightly < stamens, deep crimson. Fruiting receptacle c. 5 mm diam., with capsule deeply sunken inside.

[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Callistemon rigidus R.Br.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
de Candolle, A.P. 1828: Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis. Vol. 3. Treuttel et Würtz, Paris.
Edwards, R.D.; Craven, L.A.; Crisp, M.D.; Cook, L.G. 2010: Melaleuca revisited: cpDNA and morphological data confirm that Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) is not monophyletic. Taxon 59: 744–754.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42. [as Callistemon rigidus R.Br.]
Spencer, R.D.; Lumley, P.F. 1991: Callistemon. In: Harden, G.J. Flora of New South Wales. 2. New South Wales University Press, Sydney, Australia. 168–173.