Callistemon viminalis (Sol. Ex Gaertn.) G. Don ex Loud  

 

Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)

 

Australia

 

Bottle-Brush

 

Weeping Bottle-Brush 

                                 August Photo

 

Plant Characteristics:  Shrub or small tree with pendulous branches, inclined toward sparseness because leaves tend to grow only at the ends of the long, hanging branches; to 20-30 ft., with 15 ft. spread; lvs. lanceolate, light green, 6 in. long; fls. with bright red bristle-like stamens, each fl. sessile in axil of deciduous floral lf., petals 5, spreading, deciduous; fls. followed by woody capsules that persist for years and sometimes look like bands of beads pressed in the bark.

 

Habitat: Escape from cultivation.  Blooms May-July with scattered bloom throughout the year.    

 

Name:  Greek, calliste-mon, beauty and stamen.  (Bailey 725).  Latin, viminalis, pertaining to twigs.  (Jaeger 281).  The species name may refer to the pendulous branches.  (my comment).

 

General:  Occasional in the study area with two or three plants known.  Photographed near Jamboree Rd.  (my comments).      About 25 species of Australian shrubs and small trees.  (Bailey 725).

 

Text Ref: Bailey 725; Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984, 213; Huxley, Vol. I  466.

Photo Ref: June-July 87 #19,20; July-Aug 87 #18,19.

Computer Ref: Plant Data 301.

First Found:  July 1987.

 

Identity by R. De Ruff.

Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004. 

Last edit 8/6/05. 

 

                      August Photo                                           July Photo