Family: Myrtaceae

Stiff bottlebrush is an everblooming shrub with stiff upright stems.

A utility-friendly species, it doesn’t grow taller than 10 feet. Native to New South Whales and Queensland, crimson bottlebrush thrives in the tropics.

Its former genus name ‘Callistemon’ means beautiful stamen, a perfect name for these showy stamens. Ablaze with flowers most of the year, crimson bottlebrush is a favorite food for pollinators. The stems are a bit stiffer than its closely related cousin Melaleuca citrina (syn. Callistemon citrinus), hence the common name stiff bottlebrush. It is much smaller too.

Growing almost anywhere on the islands, it is a low-maintenance tree that drops little to no leaf litter, and it’s wind tolerant.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Hedge
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Sharp, pointed leaves
  
• Produces numerous viable seeds
  
• Naturally hybridizes with congeners
  
• Seeds wind-dispersed
  
• Seeds water-dispersed (riparian habitat)
  
• Prolific seed producer
  
• Tolerates pruning/mutilation

Low Risk Traits:

• Not naturalized beyond native range
  
• Requires full sun (shade-intolerant)
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic
  
• Minimal pest/pathogen host significance
  
• Low fire risk (wet habitat)
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• No evidence of soil seed bank
  
• No animal dispersal mechanisms