How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Melaleuca, Black tea tree, Granite bottlebrush, Myrtle, Paperbark— Melaleuca spp.
Family Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)

Plant Identification

Melaleucas are easy-to-grow, fast-growing evergreen trees or shrubs.  They have narrow and sometimes needlelike leaves.  Flowers are formed in clusters, resembling a bottlebrush and attracting birds.  Woody seed capsules are clustered and hang on branches for years. 

Optimum conditions for growth

Melaleucas are often planted as screens or grown as flowering and shade trees.  They do well in areas with full sun and require little water.  They can tolerate heat, wind, poor soil, and drought.  Prune back branches to control growth.

Melaleuca bark and foliage
Melaleuca bark and foliage  

Seed capsules
Seed capsules



Pests and disorders of Melaleuca spp.

Invertebrates

Diseases

Environmental disorders

Weeds

Vertebrates

Flowers
Flowers

Foliage
Foliage


Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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