bottlebrush

plant

Also known as: Callistemon citrinus, Callistemon lanceolatus

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Bottlebrushes, scientifically known as Callistemon, are a genus of shrubs and trees native to Australia. They belong to the family Myrtaceae and are commonly cultivated for their striking flower spikes, which resemble brushes. These plants are often grown outdoors in warmer climates, such as western North America, and in greenhouses in colder regions. One well-known species, C. lanceolatus (or C. citrinus), can reach heights of 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) and features lance-shaped leaves and vibrant red stamens. The name "bottlebrush" comes from the distinctive shape of its flowers.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Callistemon
…flowers and are commonly called bottlebrushes. The plants are often cultivated outdoors in western North America and in colder regions in greenhouses. C. lanceolatus (sometimes C. citrinus), one of the most commonly cultivated species, grows from 3 to 6 m (10 to 20 feet) tall and has lance-shaped leaves and…
Read More
…flowers and are commonly called bottlebrushes. The plants are often cultivated outdoors in western North America and in colder regions in greenhouses. C. lanceolatus (sometimes C. citrinus), one of the most commonly cultivated species, grows from 3 to 6 m (10 to 20 feet) tall and has lance-shaped leaves and…
Read More