Re: Mystery Tree
- Subject: Re: Mystery Tree
- From: &* R* <t*@isp.net.au>
- Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 13:40:36 +1000
It's not Melaleuca incana, which has flatter, more grayish and hair-fringed
leaves, and more elongated flower spikes.
I think it is most likely M. halmaturorum, South Australian swamp paperbark.
If you can locate copies, check it out in Holliday, A field guide to
Melaleucas, or Wrigley & Fagg, Bottlebrushes, paperbarks & tea trees.
If this plant is already showing signs of naturalizing at Monterey, it
should be treated as a potential weed species. Consider what has happened
with M. qinquenervia in the Everglades!
M. halmaturorum grows in brackish-water habitats in coastal south-eastern
South Australia, which has a Mediterranean climate probably quite similar to
that of the Monterey coast.
Tony Rodd
Sydney, Australia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doobieous" <doobieous@yahoo.com>
To: <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2004 12:23 PM
Subject: Mystery Tree
> In Monterey at the city lake called El Estero, there
> is an island, which the waterfowl use for cover and i
> assume some for nesting which is completely covered in
> a type of tree which i haven't seen anywhere else. It
> obviously loves water because it grows right up to the
> edge of the shore, and water goes right up to the
> trunk bases.
>
> Fortunately, there's a few of these trees on the shore
> close to the bridges that cross both arms of the lake.
> I could tell both were the same type because both the
> lakeside and the island trees are in bloom, with the
> same color blooms.
>
> I was able to take a tig and get photographs:
>
>
http://home.csumb.edu/g/garciabarry/world/plants/other_gardens/2mystery3.jpg
>
> Overall twig with rule for scale.
>
>
http://home.csumb.edu/g/garciabarry/world/plants/other_gardens/2mystery2.jpg
>
> showing flowers
>
>
http://home.csumb.edu/g/garciabarry/world/plants/other_gardens/2mystery1.jpg
>
> Showing one of the inflorescences up close.
>
> I noted that the flowers have an unpleasant smell. Not
> noticeable until you bring one close to your face.
> They also have papery bark as well.
>
> So, what do you all think this is?
>
>
> Barry Garcia
> Marina, CA
> Sunset: 17
> USDA: 9
>
