Melaleuca squarrosa, commonly known as scented paperbark, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to south eastern parts of Australia, especially Tasmania.

Melaleuca squarrosa is a shrub, sometimes a small tree growing to 0.5–10 m (2–30 ft) high, with white or grey papery bark.

Flowering mostly occurs in spring or early summer and is followed by fruit which are woody, cup-shaped to spherical capsules, 2.7–3.5 mm (0.11–0.14 in) long.

Vice-Master of Trinity College London, for specimens of this shrub, which was raised in the Botanic Garden of the University by Mr. Donn, from seeds brought from Port Jackson, and flowered in 1799.

"[7] The specific epithet (squarrosa) is a Latin word meaning "rough with stiff bracts, leaves or scales".