Callistemon or Red Bottlebrush Plant

Rank: Genus

Callistemons are a genus of exotic flowering plant from the Myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Commonly called the bottlebrush plant for obvious reasons. Currently, there is a debate as to what plants should be specified as Callistemons and those that are a closely related genus, Melaleucas. It appears that on DNA evidence alone most Callistemons are in fact Melaleucas. This is desputed due to differences in physical make-up of the flowers. This has been going on for over 150 years so still a work in progress.

callistemon - red bottlebrush plant


Names

Scientific name: Callistemon
Common names: Bottlebrush
Genus: Callistemon
Family: Myrtaceae
Related plants: Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Myrtus (Myrtle), Pimenta (Allspice), Psidium (Guava), Syzygium (Clove)



Growing Conditions

Position: full sun, partial shade
Soil type: sandy, loamy
Soil pH: weak-acid, neutral, weak-alkaline
Moisture: moist, well drained


callistemon - red bottlebrush plant