Melaleuca L.
Leaves opposite
Stamens red or purplish
Flowers arranged in dense spikes 3–5 cm long. Capsule up to 10 mm diam., crowned by the persistent calyx. Stamens 18–30 mm long, red. Leaves lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, 13–40 mm long, 4–10 mm wide, with a prominent midrib. Shrub up to 6 m high, with corky bark. Widespread. Wet places, coastal headlands. Fl. spring–summer Melaleuca hypericifolia
Flowers arranged in few-flowered spikes up to 2 cm long. Capsule 3–4 mm diam. with spreading calyx teeth. Stamens 10–15 mm long, purplish. Leaves lanceolate to elliptic, 5–12 mm long, 1–3 mm wide; midrib not prominent. Shrub up to 2 m high with corky bark and often with a lignotuber. Widespread. Open forest and heath. Damp places and margins of swamps. Fl. summer Melaleuca thymifolia