This tree has a single trunk with thick papery bark that peels off in sheets and the spreading branches form a domed crown. It has small dark green stiff prickly leaves and the creamy white flowers appear in a cylindrical cluster from late spring to early summer. 

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Melaleuca stypheloides is naturally found in Australia growing on the east coast and adjoining mountains of New South Wales from Nowra in the south to Queensland. 

It prefers a open sunny position and grows in moist moderately well drained fertile soils and is salt and drought tolerant but frost sensitive. 

The Prickly Leafed Paperbark is grown for is upright habit and bark. It is planted in large gardens, parks and golf courses as a specimen tree or used in group plantings as a wind break. It is suitable for coastal positions tolerating salt laden winds and saline soils or grown in soil that is periodically inundated. 

It also attracts native birds and establishes in 3 to 5 years and is long lived. When young it may planted in large tubs or used as a bonsai specimen. It is an ideal tree to plant around ponds or along water courses and will tolerate wet to dry soils. ID 280

Melaleuca (me-la-LOO-ka) stypheloides (sti-fer-LOI-dee-s)

'Melaleuca': from Greek melanos + leukos - black & white (refers to the first species described, M. quinquenervia, which had a burnt, blackened trunk and white branches); 'styphelioides': leaves like Styphelia.

Myrtaceae (mir-TAY-see-ee)
Myrtle, Eucalyptus, Clove and Guava Family