What are Broad leaf tea-tree woodlands?
Broad leaf tea-tree woodlands occur across northern Australia on lowlands subject to seasonal flooding. In high rainfall coastal north Queensland, they are listed as an endangered ecological community by the Australian Government.
Characteristics include:
Two clear layers
A canopy dominated by broadleaved tea-trees.
A ground layer
The majority of plant species diversity is in the ground layer, including grasses, sedges, ferns and forbs.
Epiphytes are often conspicuous in the canopy.
Shrubs, including grass trees, may be present but are often sparse.
Broad leaf tea-tree canopy
Broad leaf tea-tree( Melaleuca viridiflora) was formally described in 1788 by Daniel Solander. The description was made during the forced stay of the Endeavour at the site of present-day Cooktown, during the first voyage of James Cook.
It is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. Viridflora means " greenflowered ", referring to the most common flower colour of this species.