[ID] native?

[Jamie]

hi guys

I have come across a tree that I have no idea of what it is. tiny, alternate leaves, leaf size is around 5-6mm long and only 2-3mm wide. tree is woody and branches are a little brittle at around 3mm thickness and up. growth habit is shrub like. bark is a little papery but not thick (as far as the tree has grown) it stands around 2m high at the moment with a spread that will more than likely be similar size. the tree has a twiggy bark structure, the tree is down at my local corner shop and has been growing there for about 12-18 months and seems to be very quick.

I would like to find out what it is as the tiny leaves, and twiggy branch structure look perfect for bonsai, I have taken some cuttings to see how they go if they strike easy or not

unknown.jpg

unknown2.jpg

unknown 3.jpg

(god, I thought these pics were better than that, i knew that it was hard to take them didnt think they were like that )

thanks for the help guys



jamie

[Joel]

Melaleuca styphelioides?

Joel

[Jarrod]

I'm with Joel, looks like it, dig it up jamwow

[Jamie]

awesome thanks guys, I had no idea what it is, I dont think they would be to happy with me digging it up it hasnt even been in that long there are a couple of other trees down at the shop that I would dig before this one, some solid callistemons with twisted trunks, have been wanting them for years actually!

pup might be able to put some confirmation on the ID I trust ya both anyways

the leaves are a little prickly too if that helps, just the tip of the leaf that is.

[bodhidharma]

looks like a Mel. Check the bark and if it is papery you are on a winner

[Jamie]

looks like a Mel. Check the bark and if it is papery you are on a winner

Hi mate

yes it is a bit papery, but not thick with heaps of layers, that could be because of the young age of the tree though

[strawbs]

Gday Jamie,
looks like a styph, i got 1 from Mela a while ago,

Mela styph 2010-02 2.jpg

hopes this helps mate.
cheers
strawbs

[Pup]

Yeah its one of them. Pup

[S.O.P]

Just be warned, or happy, that there are 2 Acacias (that I know of) that have those leaves as well.

The reason I say this is because I had to get our Nursery manager to ID an Acacia that looked very similar to this and he ran me through the 2 varieties just recently, maybe 3 weeks ago. The names escape me now though or otherwise I would Google Image it.

Is the shrub quite pendulous looking? The one I found out and about was about 2m high, quite striking and pendulous branches. The other type is a taller shrub. Technically speaking, there should be flowers or remnants of, somewhere on tree, unless it's too immature (or doesn't feel like it).

Would you like me to follow up the names or are you happy with the Melaleuca ID?

[Jamie]

hi guys

its interesting as jezz just linked me to a couple of styph. he has and one didnt look like it and another did, then looking at the one strawbs put up the leaves look some what smaller to strawbs tree. and tighter internodes, this could be somewhat of a variation to it as we know how different and hard melalueca can be to ID especially on young or old trees alike. I think I am going to have to get some more pics of this one!
I have been going through google myself with not a 100% perfect match.

not that I am phased to much about a perfect ID as I am pretty sure I wont have to much of a problem keeping them alive if and when they strike

S.O.P, if you think it could be a variety of Acacia I am more than happy for you to try and find them dont stress a great deal about it though as I am sure it will pop into your head sometime

cheers pup thanks for getting in on the fun

thanks guys

[bonscythe]

The other one that I've seen look like the Melaleuca styphelioides is the Melaleuca squamea, but up close they have definate differences. So if you think it isn't M. styph. try the M. squamea maybe? woudn't worry too much though.
There are alot of dodgy ID tags on google that's for sure!
Good luck

[strawbs]

Gday Jamie,
here's a shot of my MEL.

IMG_5864.jpg

lasts years and a bit if this years growth.
cheers
strawbs

[S.O.P]

hi guys

its interesting as jezz just linked me to a couple of styph. he has and one didnt look like it and another did, then looking at the one strawbs put up the leaves look some what smaller to strawbs tree. and tighter internodes, this could be somewhat of a variation to it as we know how different and hard melalueca can be to ID especially on young or old trees alike. I think I am going to have to get some more pics of this one!
I have been going through google myself with not a 100% perfect match.

not that I am phased to much about a perfect ID as I am pretty sure I wont have to much of a problem keeping them alive if and when they strike

S.O.P, if you think it could be a variety of Acacia I am more than happy for you to try and find them dont stress a great deal about it though as I am sure it will pop into your head sometime

thanks guys

All it takes is one question to our Nursery Manager. He will remember the ID. I could even, when at work, drive to the place I collected the sample and take a photo for you if ID is an issue. It won't come into my head, I struggle with botanical names and my job revolves around them. I'm like Homer Simpson on wine, one thing enters my brain, one leaves (see the pun?).

For example, the pic above me, to me, looks nothing like your sample. And it's based on internode length, though your pictures aren't the best. The way you talk about fast-growing, tight internodes, remind me of this recent ID we did. I couldn't describe the colour from memory but is it the classic blue-green? When I came across this sample, however long ago - 2 months at the most, it was flowering the usual acacia flower but maybe, you being in a different area, it had already come and gone.

[Jamie]

thanks man, it would be great if you can ask, I know my pics arent great it was hard to get the camera to focus on the leaves and bark as they were so small and I cant figure out macro shot yet

definately different to the pic above I reckon aswell, I will have to get another couple of samples and pics, the leaf size is very small, and the internodes are very tiny, I havent noticed it in flower but I wasnt looking for flowers either, will definately check again though

cheers

[S.O.P]

I'll either ask today, if I can drive past work, or I will grab it on Monday (RDO today). Take some more pictures if you can.

Hopefully, when I get the ID, there will be some images online for you. We only had a line drawing at work. Or, like I said, I can grab some photos from where we saw it.