Moonah
Melaleuca lanceolata
Appearance
Shrub or small tree to 10 m high with hard, rough bark, dark grey bark on a trunk that is often twisted and bent by the effects of wind. Bark hard, fissured, rarely slightly papery or flaking.
Leaves are arranged alternately, linear to narrow-elliptic, 5–15 mm long, 1–3 mm wide.
Flowers white or cream coloured and arranged in many-flowered spikes 2–4 cm long.
What to Observe
•First fully open single flower
•Full flowering (more than 50% of flowers are open)
•End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)
•Not flowering
•Open Seed Pods
•No fruits/seed/pods
ClimateWatch Science Advisor
We expect plants to start shooting and flowering earlier in the year as a result of climate change warming the Earth. They may also start appearing in new areas, as warmer temperatures enable them to live in environments that were previously too cold for them.
When To Look
Throughout the year.
- Flowers mainly appear in summer months
- Fruits appear after flowers
- Mature seed capsules are maintained on plants throughout the year
Where To Look
NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, WA. It is found along coastal dune systems and drainage lines. Also grows in mallee or open woodland communities on clayey soils; widespread in drier areas.
Moonah distribution map - OzNativePlants
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Did You Know?
The Moonah tree helps stabilise and protect coastal dune systems, preventing erosion.
Moonah trees are often twisted into unusual shapes, may range in height and live for around 300 years.