Weeping Bottlebrush

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

ka-LISS-ta-men  vi-mi-NAY-liss

Myrtaceae

Explanation of name:  According to DEH, the generic name comes from Greek kallos (beautiful) and steman (stamen).  Specific epithet means "long, slender shoots." (DAV)

Natural Range:  Australia

Recognition:  Rapidly-growing evergreen tree; weeping, pendulous habit; low-branching, often multiple-trunked. Leaves simple, alternate or spiral, medium-green and lanceolate to 4" long.  Species monoecious with scarlet flowers in cylindric spikes to 3" long, encircling the stem like the bristles on a bottle brush.  Stamens numerous, to 1" long.  Capsules woody, globular, to 0.25" in diameter; clustered around stem; persistent; ripening in summer. (DEH)

Landscape Uses:  Often used as framing tree or for street plantings; also as a specimen or accent.  Propagation through seeds or cuttings.  (DEH)

Notes:  C. citrinus (Lemon Bottlebrush) is perhaps most common and showiest species grown in Florida (DEH). Also C. rigidus (Bottlebrush) used as hedge, screen, specimen or accent.  (DEH)