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Crimson bottlebrush

How to identify Crimson bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)

Crimson bottlebrush, also known as Lemon bottlebrush, Bottlebrush tree

Crimson bottlebrush is a robust evergreen shrub, reaching heights up to 20 feet (6 meters) and nearly as wide. Its grey bark exhibits deep fissures, while lanceolate leaves measure around 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) wide, tapering to a sharp tip. New leaves emerge a silky pink and bear a menthol-lemony aroma when bruised, with noticeable oil glands visible in light. The plant's distinctive feature is its red, inch-long (2.5 cm) stamen flowers, arranged in dense 4-inch (10 cm) long bottlebrush-like clusters. Subsequent woody capsules adhere tightly to the stems over several years.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Crimson bottlebrush

1

Lanceolate leaves measuring 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) wide, tapering to a sharp tip.

2

Distinctive red stamen flowers, inch-long (2.5 cm) in dense 4-inch (10 cm) bottlebrush-like clusters.

3

Smooth, leathery leaves with a faint citrus fragrance when crushed, especially prominent in young, pinkish leaves.

4

Woody fruit capsules tightly adhering to stems, sessile without a distinct stalk, typically grey or brown.

5

Robust shrub reaching up to 20 feet (6 meters) in height, with grey bark exhibiting deep fissures.

Crimson bottlebrushCrimson bottlebrushCrimson bottlebrushCrimson bottlebrushCrimson bottlebrush

Detailed Traits of Crimson bottlebrush

Leaf Features

Crimson bottlebrush features alternate, simple leaves that are lanceolate to elliptical in shape, measuring approximately 7 cm (2.8 inches) long and 2 cm (0.8 inches) wide. The leaves are smooth and leathery in texture. Young leaves exhibit a silky texture and may appear pinkish or red. When crushed, they emit a faint citrus fragrance. These characteristics, including the smooth, leathery texture and faint citrus scent, are key identifiers.

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Flower Features

The flowers of crimson bottlebrush are striking with their bright red inflorescences resembling brushes. Each flower features numerous long, slender stamens up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) in length. The stamens create a dense, cylindrical cluster around the stem, giving a bottlebrush-like appearance. Typically, the petals are small and inconspicuous. The flowers have no noticeable scent and bloom primarily in late spring to early summer. Each floral section alternates with leafy growth, contributing to their distinctive look.

Crimson bottlebrush Flower image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of crimson bottlebrush consists of small, woody capsules that adhere closely to the stems in clusters. These capsules are sessile, meaning they lack a distinctive stalk. Upon maturation, the fruit reveals its hardened texture and typically grey or brown color. Each capsule is a repository for numerous minuscule seeds, which are released from the parent plant to ensure propagation. The precise dimensions and color of the capsules may vary slightly but generally stay consistent with these characteristics, measurable in both Imperial and Metric units.

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Key Facts About Crimson bottlebrush

Attributes of Crimson bottlebrush
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Plant Height
1 m to 5 m
Spread
2.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
4 mm to 6 mm
Flower Color
Red
White
Pink
Fruit Color
Brown
Black
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Crimson bottlebrush

Family
Myrtle
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Species
Crimson bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
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Distribution Map of Crimson bottlebrush

Crimson bottlebrush is native to east and south Australia and has further been naturalized in India, southeastern Europe bordering the Adriatic Sea, and some African nations. Its native biome is swamps, creeks, and other damp or marshy areas in warm climates.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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