A characteristic and widespread tree in remnant dry rainforest. Seed easy to collect, stays on the tree for a long time but often high up.
Leaves narrow-elliptic, mostly 6-9 cm long, 5-14 mm wide, attenuate at both ends, apex acute; midrib, marginal and lateral veins distinct. New growth purplish pink.

A very large specimen in remnant scrub. A Gum Vine of considerable age is living on this tree, which has a girth of about 1m at the base. Photo: Robert Whyte
Bark

Photo: Robert Whyte
Flowers
Hostplant for sapsucking bug Chionaspis candida.

Photo: Robert Whyte
Habit

Photo: Robert Whyte
Confusion
Melaleuca saligna and Callistemon salignus (now Melaleuca salicina) are different species. Both have papery bark and “bottlebrush” flowers but in other respects they are different, especially in the arrangement of their stamens. Those in Melaleuca saligna are joined in a bundle or “claw” – those in Callistemon salignus (now Melaleuca salicina) are separate from each other. The natural range of Melaleuca saligna is the Cape York Peninsula. The range of Callistemon salignus (now Melaleuca salicina) is from about Bundaberg south to Nowra in New South Wales. Thanks to Geoff Derrin for this information.