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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
fairly fast
growing
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
resistant
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2500
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-3°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub, tree
Height
:
2 m-5 m
Spread
:
3 m-4 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
bright red
Size
:
5 cm - 15 cm
Period
:
May - September
Smell
:
aroma, weak,
leaf
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
0.7 cm
The Bottle Brush, or furshat az zujaj in Arabic, is named for its spikes of crimson flowers that
appear in spring and summer. Inflorescences with no petals, but instead spikes of bright stamens,
radiate from the twig’s end, where they attract butterflies. This native of eastern Australia grows
as a spreading, evergreen shrub that may be trained into a small tree. Without pruning, it may
reach a height of 5 metres and almost the same width. Its lance-shaped stiff foliage grows upward
and exudes a scent of citrus when crushed. Young leaves are copper-coloured and turn deep green
as they mature. The fruits are pea-sized, woody capsules that release hundreds of tiny seeds. The
bark is grey and much-fissured. Full sun, dry air and some drought are tolerated, but the tree is
prone to frost. Flowering is far less profuse in shady locations. Alkaline soils and even flooding
are tolerated, owing to the plant’s origin on riverbanks. High soil salinity results in chlorosis that
may be cured by applying iron chelate. Pruning should not be hard, and care should be taken in
shaping and trimming. Propagation is easy by seeds or cuttings. Cultivars vary in colour, shape
and size: ‘Jeffers’ grows more compact with magenta flowers, while ‘Splendens’ is an improved
selection with red flowers. Other colours are shown by ‘Violaceus’, ‘Mauve Mist’ and ‘Perth Pink’.
Bottle Brushes do well in containers, as specimens or grouped. They make a good screen and
serve well as flowering hedges.
78
Callistemon citrinus,
Myrtaceae
Bottle Brush,
furshat az zujaj