Broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia)

Kayu putih buku or broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) are small to medium sized trees in Myrtaceae, up to 20 m high, stems covered by thin white, cream, and gray paper skin. The leaves are arranged, flat, rough, spear-shaped, dull or green-gray, 55–120 mm long and 10–31 mm wide.

The flowers are packed in strands at the end of the branch and continue to grow after flowering, sometimes also in the upper leaf axils. Each strand contains 5 to 18 flower groups, diameters up to 40 mm and lengths of 20-50 mm. The petals are about 3 mm long and fall out when the flowers age.

Flowers are followed by woody fruits, shaped cylindrical capsules wide, 2.5-4 mm long and in groups. Each capsule contains many small seeds that appear every year. M. quinquenervia has proven to be a different chemical form and is widely used traditionally. Drinks are made from young aromatic leaves to treat colds, headaches, and common ailments.

Leaf oil from chemotype cineole is used externally for coughs, colds, neuralgia, and rheumatism. Nerolidol and linalool chemotypes are also cultivated and distilled on a small scale for fragrances. Bark like paper is used traditionally to make coolamons, shelter and wrap baked goods.

Nectar is traditionally extracted by washing in water and consumed as a drink. Scented flowers also produce yellow honey, very flavorful although not considered a high-quality honey but popular. Essential oils for various cosmetic products, antiseptic and antibacterial agents for bladder infections, respiratory problems and inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Melaleuca
Species: M. quinquenervia

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