This delightful shrub deserves wider recognition. It favours fesh-water swaps, lagoons, water courses and low lying open woodlands.

Variegated Melaleuca - Melaleuca symphyocarpa - Photo by Bill Hinton

At first glance it may not be recognised as a Malaleuca because of its unusual globular flower heads. The flower heads form without stems on the previous years' growth. The blossoms range in colour from yellow to orange giving an effective variegated display during summer.

Seeds germinate readily but young seedlings are slow to establish. Root propagation may prove to be more rewarding. The crushed leaves have a strong eucalyptus odour.