Family: Myrtaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Melaleuca styphelioides (prickly-leaf teatree) is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to southeastern Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It is valued as an ornamental landscape tree because of its dense canopy, attractive papery bark, fragrant foliage, and clusters of creamy-white bottlebrush-like flowers that attract pollinators. The species is tolerant of wind, drought, poor soils, and urban conditions, making it popular for street plantings, windbreaks, shade, and coastal landscaping in warm climates.

Risks & Threats
Although Melaleuca styphelioides is considered a low-risk species overall, it is regarded as potentially naturalizing on Kaua‘i and Lana‘i. The tree produces abundant seeds and can establish in disturbed areas, especially in moist environments. However, it has not shown the aggressive invasive behavior associated with some other Melaleuca species. Continued monitoring is recommended to ensure that escaped populations do not spread into sensitive natural habitats or outcompete native vegetation.

High Risk Traits:

• Congeneric weed (e.g., M. quinquenervia is highly invasive)
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Potential to compete with rare/endangered species (e.g., after fire)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Propagules dispersed intentionally by people
  
• Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not toxic
  
• Not shade tolerant (requires full sun)
  
• No evidence of dense thickets or vegetative fragmentation
  
• Not dispersed by birds, animals (externally), or via gut passage
  
• Not likely to be a produce contaminant