Bottlebrush Tree ( Callistemon ) are part of the Myrtaceae or myrtle family , touch to familiar species like true guava ( Psidium ) and clove ( Syzygium aromaticum ) . There are about 20 species of bottlebrush bush and little Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , all of which are native to Australia . The plants are evergreen , with uncomplicated , aromatic alternating leaves . The most readily identifiable feature is the showy flower spikes . The blossom petals are scandalmongering or red and tiny , but the elongated , reddened flower stamen give the plant its nickname and classifiable appearance .

Importance

Bottlebrushes are important as landscape painting topic in warm climates . They can withstand sandlike soil and at least one species , Callistemon citrinus is somewhat salinity tolerant , make the plant life useful for coastal locations . Weeping bottlebrush or Callistemon viminalis rent pronto to clip and can be used effectively as a hedge or covering plant . This mintage can also be substituted for weeping willow at the edges of pool or water features . Bottlebrush trees do not cause much litter and are well - fit to use around high traffic areas . Bottlebrushes also pull in hummingbird .

Species

Among the more popular Callistemon species are Callistemon citrinus or ruby bottlebrush , which has citrus - odoriferous foliage ; Callistemon rigidus , the erect bottlebrush ; Callistemon salignus ; and Callistemon viminalis , the weeping bottlebrush . Cultivated potpourri and hybrid of some species are also available . According to Dr. Michael Dirr , many of the Callistemon species are virtually very to each other as untested plants , making definitive recognition difficult .

Importance: Lumbar

At the end of the nineteenth century , the hardwood of Callistemon citrinus was reap for building purpose . Callistemon citrinus was used for shipbuilding and wagon or cart wheels as well as beetle . Timber from Callistemon salignus was close - grained and survived well when buried , make it utile for Emily Price Post and other applications that postulate portions of the wood to be installed in the soil .

Historical Significance

Bottlebrushes were first discovered on initiate Australian expeditions in the late eighteenth century . Renowned British phytologist Joseph Banks pull in specimens of Callistemon citrinus – the first bottlebrush discovered – in 1770 , on the East Coast of Australia . Other species were discovered over the course of the next 50 year and sent back to Europe . Period illustrations show that Callistemon speciosus was grow in the Empress Josephine ’s fabled garden at Malmaison . Because foreign industrial plant were of great interest to the British populace , slabs of Callistemon salignus were exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862 .

Culture

bottlebrush can be cultivate in affectionate winter areas like Florida and the Pacific Coast of California . The primary requirement are quick temperatures , adequate moisture and tidy sum of sun . Callistemon can be grown from seminal fluid , and the seed does not need any pre - discourse . If the young plants are purchased in container , they should be transplant and watered regularly until they are established . During the growing season , bottlebrush should be fertilized on a regular basis . In cold wintertime climates , potted specimen can be brought indoors and winter in cool greenhouses or nerveless household space .

References

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