| Thyme Honey-myrtle | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Melaleuca |
| Species: | M. thymifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Melaleuca thymifolia Sm. |
|
Melaleuca thymifolia, known as the Thyme Honey-myrtle is a common Australian plant found in coastal areas, often in heathland, woodland and swampy edges. Growing on sandstone or clay based soils. This plant is often noticed in spring, with attractive purple flowers. It grows from north from Pigeon House Mountain.
A fragrant shrub usually seen around 1 metre high with corky bark and slender wiry stems. Leaves are small and thin. Mostly opposite on the stem, 10 to 15 mm long, 1 to 3 mm wide.[1]. Flowers occur around October, being violet or purple, with feathery “claws”. Capsules have a unique jagged top.
The specific epithet “thymifolia” refers to the foliage which resemble those of the thyme.[2] This plant first appeared in scientific literature in the year 1797 in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, authored by the prominent English botanist, James Smith.