Chamelaucium uncinatum
Waxflower, Waxflower
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Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Chamelaucium uncinatum (Waxflower) is a non-native California shrub in the Myrtaceae family, recognized by Australian ornamental escape, only non-native myrtle genus establishing in California.
Waxflower is a naturalized shrub found in southern coastal California, specifically in San Diego County. Flowering in spring, this plant produces delicate white, pink, or purple flowers less than 2 centimeters wide, with spreading, almost round petals. Growing up to 3 meters tall with a glabrous (smooth) form, the shrub has distinctive linear or awl-shaped leaves 1.6 to 4 centimeters long and extremely narrow, with a downcurved tip and glandular texture. Its leaves are remarkably slender, measuring only 0.5 to 1 millimeter wide, with an impressed midvein and nearly invisible lateral veins. The plant produces flowers in raceme-like clusters or individually in leaf axils, with short peduncles 4 to 12 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Australian ornamental escape, only non-native myrtle genus establishing in California
Habitat and range
Outside California: native to western Australia
Bloom period
Chamelaucium uncinatum blooms Spring.
How to tell it apart
vs Leptospermum: Tea tree has alternate leaves widest at tip; waxflower has opposite needle-thin leaves; vs Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus flowers have detachable caps; waxflower has normal waxy petals; vs Melaleuca: Bottlebrush has dense flower spikes; waxflower has solitary or few-flowered clusters; vs Myrtus: True myrtle has broader oval leaves; waxflower has thin needle-like leaves; vs Luma: Luma has broader opposite leaves; waxflower has thread-like opposite leaves
Frequently asked questions
Is Chamelaucium uncinatum native to California?
No. Chamelaucium uncinatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Chamelaucium uncinatum bloom?
Chamelaucium uncinatum blooms Spring.
What plant family does Chamelaucium uncinatum belong to?
Chamelaucium uncinatum is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Chamelaucium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.