Melaleuca alternifolia - Tea Tree
By Delonix1
29 May, 2009
5 likes
Here's another common Australian native tree in bloom. It has almost snow white flowers. Photo taken May 23, 2009 in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Comments on this photo
Louise1:
This is just a very young tree...the larger trees are much fuller and the white flower cover the tips of the tree entirely. They can grow to more than 40 feet/ 13 meter tall.
30 May, 2009
They are magnificent trees when in full bloom.
30 May, 2009
Bernieh:
Yes, they are...many species of Melaleuca are very widely grown here. They are usually called "paper bark trees"...and some speces grow to more than 70 feet/ 22 meters tall. I also though they should be called "sponge bark tree" because to me they feel like a soft sponge.
31 May, 2009
are they related to the cork trees of Spain? I buy a special cleaner that is made from the Melaleuca...
2 Jun, 2009
Lori:
They are unrelated to Quercus suber - Cork Oak. Cork Oak is widely grown here and throughout most of California...in fact, the tree next to the large Brazilian Coral tree in Balboa Park posted last week is Cork Oak...it was in the way of me capturing the full Coral tree.
There's many species of Melaleuca...most grow in California.
2 Jun, 2009
I didn't imagine this tree to look like this !
It's quite a sparse looking tree and i'd always imagined it to look more luxuriant.
Delonix, your pictures are definately educating me, keep 'em coming !
29 May, 2009