Melaleuca punicea is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the Northern Territory in Australia.

[3] Subsequent molecular studies, especially of chloroplast DNA have suggested that it is best placed in Melaleuca along with others from genera including Beaufortia, Callistemon and Regelia.

Flowering occurs during the dry season, including from January to November but mainly from June to August and is followed by the fruit, which are cup-shaped capsules, although not as woody as in most other melaleucas.

The specific epithet (punicea) is from the Latin puniceus meaning "purplish-red"[8] referring to the colour of the stamens.

[5] Melaleuca punicea occurs in Arnhem Land on the sandstone escarpments of the Kakadu National Park.