What is a paperbark tree?
A paperbark is an Australian tree with soft, thick, papery bark that peels off in layers. Most paperbarks belong to the genus Melaleuca and grow in wetlands and along creeks.
The bark is made of many thin layers that can be peeled away like sheets of paper. Paperbarks often grow in swamps and along riverbanks, where they can tolerate flooding.
Their fluffy flower spikes, often cream or white, are rich in nectar and attract birds, bats and insects.
Traditional uses
Aboriginal people used paperbark to wrap and cook food, make shelters, bandages, baby carriers and canoes, and as a painting surface.
Tea tree oil comes from a paperbark species, Melaleuca alternifolia, which grows in northern New South Wales. The oil has antiseptic properties and is used in many health and beauty products. Bundjalung people traditionally used crushed tea tree leaves to treat wounds and coughs.
Paperbark wetlands in northern Australia, such as those in Kakadu, provide important habitat for birds and flying foxes. In southern cities, paperbarks are popular street trees because they handle wet soils and tough conditions.
Did You Know?
In Florida, the broad-leaved paperbark became an invasive weed in the Everglades.