A comparative study of the essential oils from three Melaleuca species growing in Egypt

The composition of hydro‐distilled essential oils of the leaves of three Melaleuca species growing in Egypt, viz., M. quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake, M. armillaris Sm. and M. bracteata F. Muell was determined by GC‐MS. Methyl eugenol is the main component of M. bracteata (97.7%). 1,8‐Cineole constitutes 57.2% of the oil of M. quinquenervia and 33.7 % of M armillaris. Terpinen‐4‐ol amounts to 24.8 % in M. armillaris. Accordingly, the oils of these plants may be considered of economic importance.