5602.000 Callistemon R.Br.

Shrubs or small trees. Leaves linear or lanceolate. Flowers in conspicuous heads or spikes near ends of branches; each flower sessile in axil of a deciduous bract, the inflorescence resembling a bottle-brush. Petals 5, deciduous. Stamens numerous in several series, free or rarely shortly united at base, much longer than the petals. Ovary 3-4-locular with many ovules per loculus. Fruit a capsule.

Derivation of name: from Greek: kalli-, meaning beautiful and stemon, a stamen.

Worldwide: 30 species in Australia.

Zimbabwe: 2 cultivated taxa.