The difference between Melaleuca alternifolia and Salix palinurus

1. Difference in appearance

The bark of the Melaleuca alternifolia is gray-brown in color, with ridges on the tenderer branches and long silky hairs in the early stages of growth, which soon become hairless. The branches are upright without drooping. The bark of the Salix babylonica is brown in color, thicker than that of the Melaleuca alternifolia and has longitudinal cracks. There is fuzz on the young branches that does not disappear, and the branches are in a drooping state.

2. Difference of blades

The leaves of Callistemon are hard and leathery, linear in shape, initially with pubescent hairs which will soon fall off. The leaves of the Salix babylonica are leathery, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate in the late stage, and have no silky hairs.

3. Petal Difference

The petals of the red melaleuca are oval in shape and green in color. The petals of the willow of gold are more round and light green in color.