The boggy, infertile soils of the coastal flats of tropical Queensland are often dominated by this small tree, which has thick layered bark.

Green Paperbark - Melaleuca viridflora - Photo by Bill Hinton

In fact this species is reasonably common throughout inland Cape York Peninsula. Paperbarks are perfect hosts for epiphytes and often several species adhere to a single tree.

Flowering begins during early summer in inland areas and autumn along the coastal lowlands. Masses of cream yellow-green and red "bottle-brush" blossoms attract birds and insects with a rich supply of nectar.

This handsome Paperbark makes a fine garden specimen requiring little attention except for regular watering.