Common Name(s): Creamy Callistemon, Lemon Bottle Brush

Synonym(s):

Family: Myrtaceae

Native To: New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, Australia

Native Habitat: Often grow in damp or wet conditions in both tropical and temperate regions.

Growth Habit: In its natural state will grow into a multi-stemmed shrub spreading up to 10 feet wide. In cultivation though younger specimens can be trained to grow as a small, single-stemmed tree.

Flowering:

Distinguishing Characteristics: The mature leaves are about 2 inches long. When young, they are covered in silky hair which gives the young reddish growth a smooth, silky appearance. Older leaves are dark grayish green. Branches, like most Callistemons, are pendulous. Flowers form in clusters up to 3 inches long around the terminal ends of branches. The most noticeable aspect of the flowers is the long, showy stamen which are cream colored and give the flower its brush-like appearance. The fruits are small, woody, cup-shaped capsules which can remain on the branches for several years.

Natural History and Cultivation Notes: The Callistemon pallidus on campus was installed in the late 80s, when so many unusual species were arriving. It can be seen on the west side of the Nugent building, where it enjoys some protection from overhead foliage and reflected heat.

In landscape applications C. pallidus is an exceptional performer. It is rated as USDA Zone 8, thus is rather more frost tolerant than most Callistemons, perhaps to below 20 F with some protection. It will also tolerate almost any soil condition except for highly alkaline soil. The species is tolerant to both drought and flooding and to some level of salt spray.

Propagation can be easily accomplished from seeds collected from mature seed pods and planted in well drained seedling soil. Desirable hybrids can also be propagated by semi-hardwood cutting.

Ethnobotany:

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