Melaleuca quinquenervia is a small to medium-sized tree that grows to 25-40′ high. Young growth is hairy with long and short, soft hair. The leaves are arranged alternately and are flat, leathery, lance-shaped in dull grey-green color. The flowers are arranged in spikes on the ends of branches which continue to grow after flowering. It blooms from spring to early autumn and is followed by fruit which is woody, cylindrical capsules. What is especially interesting about this tree is the unusual, light-colored bark that splits and spreads with growth revealing the new bark beneath peeling layers of older bark.