Texas Invasive Species InstituteMelaleuca quinquenervia
Bottle Brush Tree (Paperback Tea Trees)
Synonym(s): Melaleuca leucadendra, Melaleuca leucadendron
Family: Myrtaceae
Duration and Habit: Perennial tree
Photographer: Min B. Rayamajhi, University of Florida
Source: http://www.invasive.org/eastern/species/2783.html
Description
The bottle brush tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) has many common names such as punktree because of the black coloration on the bark when it has been burned, paperbark, cajeput tree, or melaleuca. It is a perennial evergreen tree that varies in height with environment. In wet or swampy environments it will be 49 to 68 feet tall with maximum heights of 98 feet. Dry environments that experience wind and fire exposure will have bottle brush trees that are 26 to 33 feet tall. The overall appearance of the plant can vary from multi-stemmed to single stemmed with a relatively straight trunk. The branches of juvenile trees are erect and ascending while older trees will have droopy branches. The leaves of bottle brush trees are leathery, 2-5 inches long, and .4-2 inches wide. Dark colored flowers form terminally on the branches covered in spikes. The branch will often continue to grow after the flower has appeared and produce foliage or more flowers on the other side of the old flower.
Ecological Threat: In its native environment of Australia, the bottle brush tree is valued for its attractiveness to birds and bats. However, in the United States it is considered a pest, and is listed on the federal noxious weeds list. With an ability to grow in aquatic or terrestrial environments, the bottle brush tree can become established in a variety of areas including those that didn't previously have trees. This introduction of trees changes the habitat formerly known by native wildlife. Native vegetation populations are seriously reduced when the bottle brush tree becomes established because of its character to grow in thick monocultures that are nearly impossible to control.
Biology & Spread: Seeds are continuously formed on the bottle brush tree, even from previously damaged portions that are quickly regenerated. Propagation and distribution of the plant occurs via seed production that takes place 2-5 times a year, allowing for 850,000 tiny seeds contained in one capsule. Each branch contains at least one seed capsule, and often will contain more than one due to the ability of branches to grow on the terminal end of the flower after the seed capsule has formed. In response to herbicide, fire, or removal of branches, the bottle brush tree will quickly produce thousands of seeds for rapid dispersal. The parent tree is then able regenerate damaged tissue and branches following the destructive event. In the case of fire, seeds that were quickly released are aided in dispersal because of the fire.
History: In the early 1900's the bottle brush tree was introduced to the United States as an ornamental tree. Since its introduction, the bottle brush tree has spread and become highly invasive in South Florida, specifically the Everglades where trees did not previously grow. Intentional introduction of the plant has also occurred in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, but the plant has not become invasive to the same degree as areas of Florida. It is currently listed as a federally noxious weed and it is not encouraged to purchase and grow this plant.
U.S. Habitat: The bottle brush tree is able to grow in completely aquatic environments, such as the Florida Everglades, or in terrestrial environments with adequate moisture available.
Distribution
Native Origin: Australia
U.S. Present: FL, HI, LA, PR
Management
Researchers are working to find effective methods of eradication for the bottle brush tree. Herbicides have been found somewhat effective, but mixes are still being tested. Fire treatment facilitates further spread of the bottle brush tree rather than reducing it by spreading heat tolerant seeds. Areas in Florida are testing the efficacy of biological control insects, with no highly effective results at this time.
Text References
Austin, Daniel F. 1978. Exotic plants and their effects in southeastern Florida. Environmental Conservation 5(1):25-34.
Browder, Joan A., and Peter B. Schroeder. 1981. Melaleuca seed dispersal and perspectives on control. In: Geiger, R. K., comp. Proceedings of melaleuca symposium; 1980 September 23-24; [Location unknown]. Tallahassee, FL: Florida Division of Forestry: 17-21.
Di Stefano, Jose F., and Richard F. Fisher. 1983. Invasion potential of Melaleuca quinquenervia in southern Florida, U.S.A. Forest Ecology and Management 7:133-141.
Hartman, Jean Marie. 1999. Factors influencing establishment success of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake in Everglades National Park. In: Jones, David T.; Gamble, Brandon W., eds. Florida's garden of good and evil: Proceedings of the 1998 joint symposium of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council and the Florida Native Plant Society; 1998 June 3-7; Palm Beach Gardens, FL. West Palm Beach, FL: South Florida Water Management District:217-226.
Internet Sources
