This vibrant bottlebrush can be found in the first Glasshouse Bay.
Containing approximately 25 species from Australia Callistemon (or bottlebrushes) belong to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). There is discussion about the classification of the genus, and some botanical authorities consider Callistemon to be synonymous with Melaleuca, which contains nearly 400 species (including Callistemon) from southern Asia and Australasia. This species is a native of western Australia, and is also referred to as C. viridiflorus var. violaceus. Typically growing to 2m in height and spread C. ‘Violaceus’ has alternate, slender, leathery leaves and terminal bottlebrush-like spikes of tiny, five-petalled flowers with long stamens. A frost-tender species C. ‘Violaceus’ will survive in neutral to acidic, moisture-retentive soil in full sun in a sheltered position. The genus Callistemon takes its name from the Greek for beautiful stamens, though the name ‘Violaceus’ meaning violet-coloured is misleading.