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Callistemon

 
Wikipedia: Callistemon
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Bottlebrush
Red bottlebrush flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Callistemon
R.Br.
Species

See text

Bottlebrush (Callistemon, pronounced /ˌkælɨˈstiːmən/)[1] is a genus with 34 species of shrubs in the family Myrtaceae. The majority of Callistemon species are endemic to Australia; four species are also found in New Caledonia. They are commonly referred to as bottlebrushes because of their cylindrical, brush like flowers resembling a traditional bottle brush. They are found in the more temperate regions of Australia, mostly along the east coast and south-west, and typically favour moist conditions so when planted in gardens thrive on regular watering. However, at least some of the species are drought-resistant.

Bottlebrush seed capsules

Callistemons can be propagated either by cuttings (some species more easily than others), or from the rounded seeds. Flowering is normally in Spring and early Summer (October-December), but conditions may cause flowering at other times of the year. The obvious parts of the flower masses are stamens, with the pollen at the tip of the filament; the petals are inconspicuous (see picture). Flower heads vary in colour with species; most are red, but some are yellow, green, orange or white. Each flower head produces a profusion of triple-celled seed capsules around a stem (see picture) which remain on the plant with the seeds enclosed until stimulated to open when the plant dies or fire causes the release of the seeds. (A few species release the seeds annually.)

They are relatively slow growing though in time the larger species can grow up to 15 metres. Some are ground-hugging, and grow to only 0.5 metre. The leaves are linear to lanceolate and are not shed in the winter. The spiked ends can cause skin scratches when brushed past.

They have been grown in Europe since a specimen of Callistemon citrinus was introduced to Kew Gardens in London by Joseph Banks in 1789.

In Australia, Callistemon species are sometimes used as food plants by the larvae of hepialid moths of the genus Aenetus including A. ligniveren. These burrow horizontally into the trunk then vertically down.

Callistemon was recently placed into the genus Melaleuca.

Contents

Species

Callistemon citrinus
Callistemon pallidus
Callistemon viminalis
Callistemon viminalis

Former species in New Caledonia

In 1998, all species of Callistemon in New Caledonia were transferred to the genus Melaleuca by Lyndley Craven and John Dawson as follows:

  • Callistemon brevisepalus J.W.Dawson > Melaleuca brevisepala (J.W. Dawson) Craven & J.W. Dawson[2]
  • Callistemon buseanus Guillaumin > Melaleuca buseana (Guillaumin) Craven & J.W. Dawson[3]
  • Callistemon gnidioides (Brongn. & Gris) Guillaumin > Melaleuca sphaerodendra Craven & J.W.Dawson[4]
  • Callistemon pancheri Brongn. & Gris > Melaleuca pancheri (Brongn. & Gris) Craven & J.W. Dawson[5]
  • Callistemon suberosum Pancher ex Brongn. & Gris > Melaleuca dawsonii Craven[6]

References

  1. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. ^ "Callistemon brevisepalus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=155484. 
  3. ^ "Callistemon buseanus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=231836. 
  4. ^ "Callistemon gnidioides". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=117289. 
  5. ^ "Callistemon pancheri". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=117294. 
  6. ^ "Callistemon suberosus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=117293. 

See also

External links

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