Callistemon citrinus

Crimson Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Callistemon
Species:	C. citrinus.
Binomial name
Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels
Synonyms
Metrosideros citrina Curtis

Callistemon citrinus, also known as Crimson Bottlebrush is a shrub in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in Australia, occurring in the vicinity of rocky streams and near-coastal swamps.

It grows to between 1 and 3 metres in height and has leaves which are 3 to 7 cm long and 5 to 8 mm wide. The flower spikes are 6 to 10 cm in length and about 4 to 7 cm in diameter. The veins of the leaves are clearly visible on both sides. The stamens are red, purpish-red or lilac with dark-coloured anthers.

Callistemon citrinus is the source of the chemical Leptospermone, which is an ingredient of the herbicide Callisto by Syngenta.

Cultivation

Growing

C. citrinus can be grown outdoors in warm, dry climates, with a minimum temperature of 7°C. They thrive in well-drained soils rich in organic matter, and direct sunlight. Indoors, it will grow well in normal room temperatures and low humidity. However, it requires more sunlight than most houseplants. Plants will benefit from being moved outdoors to a sunny area in summer.^[1].

Propagation

New plants can be grown by taking stem tip cuttings in spring or early summer. Cuttings can be rooted in a mix of peat moss and coarse sand, kept moist. Plants can also be sown by seed in spring.^[1].

Cultivars

A number of cultivars have been selected including:^[2]

Callistemon citrinus

• C. citrinus 'Demesne Rowena'
• C. citrinus 'Firebrand'
• C. citrinus 'Splendens'
• C. citrinus 'White Anzac'

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Bottle Brush Plant". http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/bottle-brush-plant.html. Retrieved 2010-05-04. 
2. ^ "List of Australian Registered Cultivars". http://www.anbg.gov.au/acra/acra-list-2009.html. Retrieved 2008-03-28. 

• New South Wales Flora Online: Callistemon citrinus Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia

External links

• "Callistemon citrinus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=43182.