Melaleuca erubescens:
is an erect shrub that may reach a height of three metres. The small, linear
leaves are light green. In summer the plants produce mauve, cylindrical flower
spikes. Sporadic flowering occurs at other times.
There is some botanical confusion about this species. It is known as Melaleuca
diosmatifolia by some botanists. The latest edition of the Flora of New
South Wales Volume 2 (Gwen Harden) names the species as Melaleuca
erubescens so we are sticking to this name.
We have many specimens growing at Yallaroo. Melaleuca erubescens has
proved to be drought resistant, frost tolerant and extremely free flowering.
We consider this species to be one of the best Melaleucas.
Melaleuca erubescens occurs in New South Wales and Queensland.
There is a plant called a mauve flowering form of Melaleuca armillaris
appearing in nurseries. This plant is in fact Melaleuca erubescens.