Callistemon R.Br.

Bottlebrushes

36 species endemic Aust.; all states and territories

Shrubs or small trees with pubescent or tomentose young branches. Leaves terete or linear to lanceolate, acute or acuminate, sometimes pungent pointed. Flowers arranged in dense regular spikes usually with the growth of the main axis continuing beyond the spike. Floral tube shortly continued above the ovary. Sepals 5, deciduous. Petals 5, orbicular, green to yellow or white to pink or red. Stamens numerous, free, arranged in 2 or more whorls; filaments much longer than the petals and the same colour. Ovary 3–4-locular with numerous ovules per loculus. Fruit a woody capsule, usually remaining on the stem for several years.