Japanese name: カユプテ Scientific name:Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana
[Overview]
In its native range it grows in coastal swamp forests, and is an evergreen small tree to tree 10–25 m tall, sometimes reaching 40 m.
The bark is grayish white and peels off in paper-like strips.
The new buds are at first covered with silky hairs, which later disappear.
The leaves are simple and alternate, oblong to lanceolate, 4–20 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, pointed at both ends, and leathery.
The leaves have oil dots and give off a fragrance when damaged.
The leaf margins are entire.
Cylindrical spike-like inflorescences 3–10 cm long bear flowers with conspicuous white to cream stamens.
There are 5 petals, but they fall soon after flowering.
The stamens are in 5 bundles of 7–9 each.
The fruit is a cup-shaped capsule about 0.3 cm long.
[Uses]
Essential oil is obtained from the leaves and twigs.
In its native range the bark and essential oil are used medicinally, and the leaves are made into herbal tea.
The wood is used as fuel, as a raw material for charcoal, and as timber for boats and supports.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or cuttings.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil, and in warm regions it can overwinter outdoors; in Okinawa it is planted in parks and similar places.
Frost damages the leaves.
Apply slow-release fertilizer from spring to autumn.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
