Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 5415832

Broad-leaved Paperbark

Melaleuca quinquenervia

Also known as Paperbark Tea Tree, Niaouli, Punk Tree

Broad-leaved paperbarks dominate coastal swamps and estuaries, anchoring waterlogged soils with dense fibrous root networks. Their multilayered, spongy bark insulates living tissues from seasonal wildfires and sheds continuously in pale, parchment sheets. During flowering flushes, the creamy bottlebrush spikes fill wetlands with a honeyed aroma, supplying essential nectar to flying foxes and migratory birds.

TreeAromaticWetland
Broad-leaved Paperbark reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Melaleuca Weevil
  • Paperbark Sawfly
ThreatsWetland drainage and clearing in native habitats; aggressive biocontrol where invasive
HabitatsCoastal swamps, riparian margins, floodplains, and brackish estuaries
Life span100–150 years
Classification
  1. OrderMyrtales
  2. FamilyMyrtaceae
  3. GenusMelaleuca
  4. SpeciesMelaleuca quinquenervia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Bark Inspection: Lightly press the trunk to feel the soft, springy layers of fire-insulating bark.
  • Leaf Aroma: Crush a fallen leaf between your fingers to detect the pungent camphoraceous scent of essential oils.
  • Bloom Watching: Scan the white flower spikes at dusk to spot foraging nectar bats and honeyeaters.
Related species
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