Description:

There are about 25 species of shrubs or small trees in this genus from Australia. Callistemon closely resembles the genus Melaleuca, but has the stamens separate or united only at the base.

Since the species of these two genera closely resemble each other and hybridization occurs both in the wild and cultivation, it is very difficult to separate them from each other. The long, exserted stamens makes the inflorescence resemble a bottlebrush. Note delimitation of inflorescence or emergence of new shoot growth from the apex of the inflorescence.