Callistemon citrinus

(Curtis) Skeels

Lemon-scented Bottlebrush

Myrtaceae Edible: Nectar, Leaves - tea

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Summary

Evergreen shrub reaching 4.5 m tall and 2.5 m wide, growing at medium rate. Year-round foliage with hermaphroditic flowers July to August. Hardy to UK zone 9. Accommodates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, and very acid conditions. Requires full sun and tolerates dry, moist, or wet soils, including drought.

Description

An erect shrub or small tree. It grows 2-6 m high. The branches are rigid. The leaves are broadly sword shaped. They are 3-7 cm long and 8 mm wide. They have a prominent midrib ending in a small point. The bruised leaves have a lemon scent. The flowers are deep red and in dense spikes. These are 6-10 cm long and 6 cm wide. The fruit is a woody capsule 7 mm across. It is rounded but slightly flattened at the top.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Tea The leaves are a tea substitute and have a delightfully refreshing flavour.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is common in coastal districts. It is usually in swampy situations and along streams. It can grow in moderate to poor soils as long as they are well-drained. It needs full sun. It can stand some coastal exposure. It is moderately salt tolerant. It can stand temperatures down to near 0°C. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia*, Canada, East Africa, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Tanzania, Tasmania, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA,

Cultivation

They can be grown from seed or tip cuttings. It can also be grown by air-layering.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in February in a shaded part of the greenhouse. Cover with paper and stand the pots in a few centimetres of water until germination takes place. Remove from the water tray as soon as the seed germinates. Seedlings are prone to damp off and must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood,7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Poor results.

Other Uses

Dye Wood A tan dye is obtained from the flowers, it does not require a mordant, and is green when mordanted. Other members of this genus can also be used. A cinnamon dye is obtained from the leaves. Other members of this genus can also be used. Wood - hard, heavy, tough, close grained, but too small for economic use. Used for tool handles etc. It is also used for fuel. Special Uses Espalier Scented Plants

Production

It is fast growing.

Notes

There are about 25-30 Callistemon species.

Synonyms

Callistemon citrinus var. splendens StapfCallistemon laevis Stapf [Invalid]Melaleuca citrina (Curtis) Dum.Cours.Metrosideros citrina CurtisCallistemon lanceolatus DC

Also Known As

Crimson Bottlebrush, Fershet al-zejaj, Kalki phul, Payoksi-bin, Pohon sikatbotol merah, Scarlet bottlebrush

References (29)

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