| Melaleuca pulchella | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Melaleuca |
| Species: | M. pulchella |
| Binomial name | |
| Melaleuca pulchella R.Br. |
|
Melaleuca pulchella, commonly known as the claw flower, is a woody shrub of the Myrtaceae family native to Western Australia. It is one of the many species described by the botanist Robert Brown.
Growing as a spreading shrub, Melaleuca pulchella may grow anywhere from 30 cm to 1.7 m (or rarely 3 m) high.[1] The numerous arching branches bear many small leaves which are ovate to elliptic in shape and measure 0.2–0.6 cm in length by 0.1–0.3 cm wide. The leaf undersides have large oil glands. Appearing from spring (October) to autumn, the flowers are pink to mauve in colour with purple sepals. Hooked, the flowers are claw-like in appearance. Flowering is followed by small urn-shaped seed pods about 0.6 cm in diameter.[2]
Melaleuca pulchella was first described in print by W. H. Aiton in 1812 in Hortus Kewensis.[3] Its species name is the Latin adjective pulchellus "very pretty" (diminutive of pulcher).[4] Common names include claw flower,[3] and claw honey myrtle.[5]
The range is along Western Australia's south coast, from Hopetoun to Israelite Bay. It grows in heathland in sandy areas, often with a high water table and inundation in wet periods.[2] Species of native bee, including Exoneura nigrescens and E. pictifrons, and halictid bee Lipotriches australica have been recorded visiting the flowerheads of Isopogon trilobus.[6]
Melaleuca pulchella 's small size, long flowering period, and flowers make it an attractive plant for gardens. It prefers fair drainage and extra water.[2] Unlike many Australian native plants, it is relatively tolerant of phosphates to some degree in cultivation.[7]