Melaleuca uncinata aka Broom Honey Myrtle

Melaleuca uncinata is also called broom honeymyrtle. It belongs to the myrtle family. This evergreen shrub comes from Australia. Kew gives its native range as southern Western Australia. Other sources give a wider range across several Australian states. They list Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. They also list the southern Northern Territory and Western Australia. It grows on dry inland sites, often on sand or gravel. It grows in mallee and woodland, too. Records also place it in dry sclerophyll forest.

The shrub grows upright, with more than one woody stem. Garden sources give a height near 6.6 feet [2 metres]. A broader source gives 3.3–13.1 feet [1–4 metres]. Wild plants can grow in dense stands. The leaves stay on the plant all year. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects move pollen between the flowers. Seeds take about a year to form on the plant. The woody seed capsules can stay for three years or more.

Choose a sunny site; this shrub cannot grow in shade. Sources suggest rich soil that drains well but holds some moisture. They list sand, loam and clay as suitable soils. Soil can range from slightly acid to neutral. Avoid soil rich in lime. The plant prefers soil that is not high in nitrogen. It can grow in dry or moist ground. Sources suggest a sunny woodland edge as one garden site. Prune once blooms fade to help keep the shrub compact.

Australian garden reports note survival down to about 19°F [−7°C]. This depends on plants at rest, with wood ripened by heat. That figure does not prove it can withstand British winters. Cool summers may limit its growth outdoors there. Long, wet winters may also make outdoor growing less successful. Protect young plants through their first winters. To grow plants from seed, provide warmth and steady moisture. Young plants can suffer from damping off. Sow seeds thinly, keep things clean and allow good airflow. These steps help cut that risk.

People gather this plant for medicine and useful raw materials. Old accounts describe chewing its leaves to ease catarrh. The leaves also yield an essential oil with a peppermint character. These uses do not prove safety or health benefits. The wood is hard and lasts well. It may split as it dries. People use dried branches to make brush fences. The sources list no known edible uses or known hazards. No reports of harm does not mean it is safe to eat.