Family: Myrtaceae

Crimson bottlebush is a tropical shrub with a dense, rounded crown. Native to Australia, the crimson bottlebush thrives almost anywhere in Hawaii. Ablaze with flowers, it blooms all year long, and pollinators often visit. Cylindrical spikes are composed of hundreds of tiny flowers, taking on the shape of a brush used to clean bottles. 

It is a low-maintenance tree that drops little to no leaf litter and has few pests. 

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Hedge
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Host for serious fungal pathogens (Cylindrocladium scoparium)
  
• Allelopathic (produces natural herbicide)
  
• Hybridizes readily with other species
  
• High seed production (>1,000 seeds/gram)
  
• Wind-dispersed seeds
  
• Tolerates fire and pruning
  
• Tolerates wide soil range (clay, sand, saline, acidic–alkaline)

Low Risk Traits:

• No documented invasiveness or weediness
  
• Requires full sun (not shade tolerant)
  
• No spines/thorns, not parasitic
  
• Non-toxic to humans/animals
  
• Low flammability
  
• Does not form thickets
  
• No vegetative spread
  
• No persistent seed bank
  
• Limited natural dispersal (not by birds, water, animals)