Melaleuca alsophila (Saltwater Paperbark)

The Saltwater Paperbark is a small tree with a dense crown, hanging branches and paper bark. It is very common on river banks and along edges of mud flats in the West Kimberley region, e.g. Derby. It is also known to be a favourite nesting place for pigeons. Kimberley Aboriginal people are known to have used the trunk of the tree to build shelters. Native beehives are often found in the trunk and branches of this tree. The honeybee does not sting as the European bee does. It is very small and looks, to the naked eye, like a fly. The barks can also be used as mosquito repellent and its leaves, when infused, are good against a cold sick.