Callistemon salignus (Sm.) Sweet var. viridiflorus (Sims) F.Muell.
Half hardy, erect to spreading shrub or small tree with papery white bark, purplish-pink new growth, willow-like leaves, and greenish flowers in the typical bottlebrush spikes, to 5cm long, in spring and summer. To 10m. [RHSE, Hortus, FNSW, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘This species [Metrosideros viridiflora], which appears to us to be an undescribed one, approaches very near to M. saligna; but differs in having less flexible branches, leaves quite smooth, darker green, smaller, more rigid and pungent, not so much narrowed at the base, and more evidently petioled; calyx, corolla, and stamens all green; the latter much longer, and pointing outwards.’ [BM t. 2602/1825]. Introduced to Britain in 1818. [PD].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1857 catalogue only [T.682/1857]. Grows naturally in low-lying river flats and damp creeks from northern Victoria to Queensland and would have been easily collected by William Macarthur.
Notes
Published Jan 17, 2010 - 04:56 PM | Last updated Mar 29, 2010 - 03:41 PM
Callistemon salignus (Sm.) Sweet var. viridiflorus (Sims) F.Muell. | BM t.2602/1825 | BHL
| Family | Myrtaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Eastern Australia |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Green-flowered white bottlebrush, Sweet willow bottlebrush |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Metrosideros viridiflorus |
| Confidence level | high |