10/30/2026
With Halloween just around the corner, we’re highlighting one of the spookiest species in the swamp – melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), also known as the paperbark tree. 😮
This plant is native to Australia and was intentionally brought to Florida more than 100 years ago in a misguided attempt to dry up the Everglades. It is now classified as a non-native invasive species, meaning that it does not naturally occur here and has detrimental effects on native ecological functions. It is illegal to sell or plant in Florida.
Melaleuca can be identified by its slender leaves, brush-shaped flowers, and multi-layered bark. These trees grow rapidly (up to 6 feet a year), reaching heights well over 80 feet. Melaleuca trees can flower up to 5 times annually, and it’s estimated that a single tree can store up to 20 million seeds!
Due to its rapid growth rate, melaleuca displaces native plants like sawgrass and cypress, impacting soil conditions, altering waterflow, and limiting resources for wildlife. Millions of dollars have been spent to fight the spread of this species through biological, mechanical, and chemical means.
Did you know? Melaleuca can be found in more than 400,000 acres across Central and South Florida.
One of the best ways you can help invasive species management is by learning and sharing your knowledge with others. Remember – nature knows best; plant native.
