AusBonsai

Out collecting today i came across this M. preissiana ans on one of the branches it has 2 different types of foliage, totally different to each other, anyone any ideas. i know Mels cross pollinate , so , any ideas ?

Hi Craig, is it just fresher shoots and older ones? Val Garth

Hi Craig,

How bizarre! They do look totally different- perhaps what could have happened is they are two different seeds which have germinated in the same spot in the ground and be growing side by side? Or if they're definitely on the same branch they could have fused while growing?

Try tracing each from leaves down to the base and see where they meet- most likely to be two different trees but would be awesome if they were one!

Yes they are definately on the same branch, not 2 trees next to each other. This is the only branch like it. There are no other trees in this area which look like the new foliage .None . it has me very interested

vgarth wrote:Hi Craig, is it just fresher shoots and older ones? Val Garth

Hi Val, i have observed alot of mels in the area and none exhibit leaves like this. Preissiana do not get leaves that are this colour green or shape either. curious

Thats what makes Melaleucas so different. Some nice finds there mate.

I think you are the new man in Mels

Cheers Pup

Could you get a photo of where the branches join? I've got a couple of theories going.

Joel

OK, give me a couple of hours Joel please,.

Cheers Pup and Joel

See what you can make of these pics Joel,

Hey Craig, Very interesting find indeed. My it could be a sport. Hope you got some cuttings or collected the whole tree

Matt

I'd agree on the sport theory as most likely. A genetic mutation in one or more cells leads to a part of the plant looking different. As Matt A says it will need to be propagated from cuttings.
Some melaleucas do have juvenile foliage which is different to adult foliage but I doubt that is the case here.
Growing some new plants from it will tell one way or the other.

That is definitely weird, but as Matt has said could be a witches broom/ sport, as this is where they usually get a dwarf variety.

This however looks like M,nesophila foliage, which is very similar to Leptospermum laevigatum. Totally different from M, preissiana.

As I said at the beginning weird. It will be interesting to find out what Joel has in mind.

Cheers Pup

I also agree on it being a sport. After seeing the images I now suspect the genetic variation was likely a response to the gall wasps present. At least that's what the lumps in the pic labelled "flower bud? - old" look like to me. Such wasps commonly cause variations in growth on hosts such as Casuarina and Callistemon (which are closely related to Melaleuca).

Just to make sure it's not some sort of new parasitic mistletoe, would you be able to crush and smell both foliage types for a comparison? And if it's not too much trouble, could you try holding the leaves up to the sun and look for tiny oil dots between the veins? Those dots are typical of the Myrtaceae family. I don't think it is a mistletoe, but could be worth checking out.

I hope you have kept this specimen alive and BOTH foliage types intact. I find it really fascinating and would like to share these photos with some botanists to get their input if you don't mind?

Cool find Craig! Luckily you were observant and inquisitive enough to not walk straight past this. Who knows, cuttings might grow into a beautiful and unique tree that you could then get rich off from plant breeders rights! Wouldn't quit your day job though

Joel

Guys, thanks for the responses, i agree it does look a little like M. nesophila foliage Pup, lepto's also sprung to mind. there are None of those growing anywhere even close to this tree.

Joel, i wasn't sure what the Bud was, a gall wasp you say, cheers mate.
I'll get over maybe tomorrow and have a smell of the foliages and a look for oil dots.
yes mate go for it share the pics.
I always look at the trees foliage when out and about, so lucky as you say i looked at this one.



I haven't touched the tree as of yet, but yes i may try a cutting or 2 and see what happens. Maybe i'll let Pup do the cutting because he has Magic hands .

These are the only othe foliages growing near by,
and this is it's trunk,

If it does turn into a new species, you get naming rights Craig. If you are thinking of cuttings, remember I am of to the other side of the rabbit proof for a little over a week.

Ken is coming over to check and Collin is keeping his keen eye, well he does have one out and Pup has gone to his holiday home.
So when you do bring them over I will have the little hot house set up.

The corkys are all AOK.

Cheers Pup