Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels, Bull. Bur. Pl. Industr. U.S.D.A. 282: 49 1913. (Syn: Callistemon citrinus var. splendens Stapf; Callistemon cunninghamii K.Koch; Callistemon flavescens Regel; Callistemon laevis Stapf; Callistemon lanceolatus Sweet; Callistemon lanceolatus var. pendulus Regel; Callistemon lanceolatus var. semperflorens (G.Lodd.) Heynh.; Callistemon lanceolatus f. semperflorens (G.Lodd.) Siebert & Voss; Callistemon lanceolatus var. sparsus Regel; Callistemon lilacinus Cheel; Callistemon lilacinus f. albus Cheel; Callistemon lilacinus f. carminus Cheel; Callistemon longifolius (Dum.Cours.) Anon.; Callistemon marginatus (Cav.) Sweet; Callistemon pendulus Regel; Callistemon pendulus var. confertus Regel; Callistemon pendulus var. genuinus Regel; Callistemon pendulus var. rigidus Regel; Callistemon semperflorens G.Lodd.; Metrosideros angustifolia Dum.Cours.; Metrosideros citrina Curtis; Metrosideros falcata Dum.Cours.; Metrosideros lanceolata Sm.; Metrosideros latifolia Dum.Cours.; Metrosideros longifolia Dum.Cours.; Metrosideros marginata Cav.; Metrosideros myrtifolia Hoffmanns.; Metrosideros semperflorens G.Lodd.);
.
Scarlet/ Lemon Bottle Brush;
.
As has been clearly specified in Trees of Delhi (Pradip Krishen) none of the specimens grown in Delhi belong to C. citrinus. They actually belong to C. viminalis (Soland. ex Gaertn.) Cheel., the two similarly looking species are distinguished as under:
C. viminalis: Tree with drooping slender branches; leaves linear-lanceolate, up to 10 cm long and 4-7 mm broad; flowers scarlet–red in up to 7 cm long dense spikes; filaments united at base; fruits not persisting on old wood.
C. citrinus: Shrub or tree with short arching branches; leaves broadly lanceolate, rigid, up to 7 cm long, 6-12 mm broad; flowers scarlet red in up to 10 cm long spike; filaments free at base; fruits persisting on 2–3 year old branches.
.
The Weeping Bottlebrush tree [C.viminalis] is larger than the Red Bottlebrush tree [C.citrinus], but is mainly differentiated from the latter by having stamens that are united in a ring at the base [whereas in the latter the filaments are free].
.
Differences between C. citrinus and C. viminalis:
C. viminalis has longer, more weeping branches. It is generally a tree of moister, wetter soils and climates. Bark is distinctly furrowed, with corky ridges. Inflorescences are longer, to approx. 15cm in length. Flower color is typically dull, light red, though pink and some darker red forms exist.
C. citrinus is generally shrubby, though can reach small tree (to 8-9 m) status in favorable, dry sites. It does not thrive in moist, humid climates. Bark is tight, flaky, and can be peeled easily in long strips. Inflorescences may be erect to nodding, seldom completely pendant, to approx. 10-12 cm in length, 2/3 as wide. They are typically bright red, more densely packed on the stem than C. viminalis. Color forms in mauve to purple also exist.

/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Callistemon%20citrinus_Ooty2.JPG
/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Callistemon%20citrinus_Ooty1.JPG
/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Callistemon%20citrinus_Ooty3.JPG
Attached are pictures of Callistemon citrinus captured at Ooty in November 2013.
Earlier posted on the forum and were identified.

dx of citrinus without leaves?


I think C. rigidus
so many persistent fruits, stiff leaves


i meant leaves at the top/distal end of the flower spike? do they play a role in diagnosis?


There might be some confusion, this was earlier identified as C. citrinus by yourself here
Could you please have a relook?

This should be C. citrinus only as leaves are shorter and lanceolate.


.


Requesting to please ID this cultivated tree captured in Ooty in November 2013.
Is this C. rigidus?

Should be C. citrinus, old fruits persistent and lanceolate leaves.


Thank you … for the ID..


Reply from another thread:
“I think C. rigidus
so many persistent fruits, stiff leaves”


This should be C. citrinus only as leaves are shorter and lanceolate.




/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Callistemon-citrinus-P1000677-California-1.jpg
Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet or C. citrinus (Curtis) skeels from California:GSMAR02 : Attachments (3). 3 posts by 2 authors.
Further to my discussion in the other thread I am uploading specimens that could be placed in Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet or C. citrinus (Curtis) skeels after we know the differences between the two.


I tried to find the differences myself on net, but could not locate them.


Kew database POWO considers C. lanceolatus Sweet as synonym of C. citrinus Curtis now known as Melaleuca citrina (Curtis) Dum.




/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/P1220461.JPG

Callistemon For ID : Lalbagh,Bangalore : 150114 : AK-7 : 5 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (2).
Callistemon seen at Lalbagh with bright red, shorter flowers.
Cultivated, garden tree.
Picture taken on 25/11/13.
Id please.


Callistemon– some species in India & eFI


Looks like C. rigidus?


A reply from another thread from …:

“Dear friends
Most of us know through Floras and common books Callistemon lanceolatus DC. as the commonest species of Callistemon cultivated in many parts of India. As it turned out for last 5 to six decades this was considered as synonym of C. citrinus (Curtis) Stapf.
As has been clearly specified in Trees of Delhi (Pradip Krishen) none of the specimens grown in Delhi belong to C. citrinus. They actually belong to C. viminalis (Soland. ex Gaertn.) Cheel., the two similarly looking species are distinguished as under:
C. viminalis: Tree with drooping slender branches; leaves linear-lanceolate, up to 10 cm long and 4-7 mm broad; flowers scarlet–red in up to 7 cm long dense spikes; filaments united at base; fruits not persisting on old wood.
C. citrinus: Shrub or tree with short arching branches; leaves broadly lanceolate, rigid, up to 7 cm long, 6-12 mm broad; flowers scarlet red in up to 10 cm long spike; filaments free at base; fruits persisting on 2–3 year old branches.
C. viminalis is aptly represented in our website through uploads of Balkar ji Rathinasabapathy ji and several posts of Bimal ji I am uploading mine from Delhi here.
Now there is a big catch. It has now been established (both on The Plant List and GRIN) that C. lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet and C. citrinus (Curtis) skeels are two distinct species and not synonymous (although C. lanceolatus DC. a synonym of latter). It would as such be interesting to know the differences between the two to be able to place our specimens properly. Perhaps some member can help.
I also have feeling that C. rigidus of Flowers of India and one uploaded by Aarti ji from Lalbagh may actually be one of these two species, as C. rigidus has much narrower almost linear lobes and capsules with almost close mouth where as in both above uploads leaves are broader almost broadly lanceolate with capsules with clearly open mouths.
Perhaps once differences between C. lanceolatus and C. citrinus as understood now, are know, we can place our specimens correctly. “

It is not P. viminalis
It could be C. lanceolatus or C. citrinus. These were earlier treated as one species, but now distinct. We have to know differences between two to decide your plant. I had written it clearly in my mail.

It will be Callistemon citrinus as per earlier discussions and as per further discussions at Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet or C. citrinus (Curtis) skeels from California:GSMAR02



/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Callistemon-lanceolatus-P1030052-California-1.jpg/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Callistemon-lanceolatus-P1030052-California-2.jpg

Crassulaceae, Combretaceae and Myrtaceae Fortnight: Myrtaceae-Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet or C. citrinus (Curtis) skeels from California-GSDEC55 : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (3)
Further to my discussion in the other thread I am uploading specimens that could be placed in Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet or C. citrinus (Curtis) skeels after we know the differences between the two.



/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/P1220460-5.JPG/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/P1220461-1.JPG

Posted earlier.
Cultivated, small tree.


Check anthers in young spikes
If red it could be C. citrinuslanceolatus
If yellow C. polandii


Thanks for the tips. I will keep in mind when I revisit the place and try to get close up pictures.

.


Differences between Callistemon lanceolatus and Callisatemon viminalis
Kindly give your valuable suggestions on the differences compiles from Trees of Delhi by Pradip Krishan ji, discussion by Dr. Gurcharan Singh Ji at efloraofindia and booklet on Callistemons, Kunzeas and Melaleucas by Australian Plant Society North Shore Group.
Attachments (1)- Callistemon lanceolatus or Callisatemon viminalis.docx

If you can have a look at posts in efi site and suggest changes, if any, it will be nice.


OK, Sir. I have gone through efi pages for the differences between these two species.



Callistemon citrinus

/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/P8300087.jpg

Callistemon flavovirens

/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/P8300097.jpg

flora in Australia-19:  2 species of Callistemon-citrinus (greenish) and flavovirens (Red)-
F- Myrtaceae.
L0cation-Sydney uni campus.


bottle brush?/  very nice pictures, nice to see the white one, kinda rare…. very prolific maker of pollen… contibutes greatly to respiratory allergies…



Confirmation: 5 images.
Date/Time – 20 MAR 2021
Location – Place, Altitude, GPS – Taj West End Hotel, Bengaluru, 12°59’04.5″N 77°35’04.7″E
Habitat – Garden/ Urban / Wild / Type – Garden
Plant Habit – Tree/ Shrub / Climber / Herb – Tree
Height/Length – 6 metres
Leaves Type/ Shape/ Size – Linear. The leaves at the apex of inflorescence are pink or creamish yellow. These colourful leaves attract attention from distance. 
Inflorescence Type/Size – Spikes
This looks like Callistemon rigidus. Please confirm.
Is there any mention of colourful leaves in literature?
Please confirm the black growth at the bottom of inflorescence in image 4 are capsules.


Maybe Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels as per images and details herein and as per comparative images at Callistemon


Thank you for the clue.
Can you throw some light on the black round growth observed at the leaf base? I am attaching one image of comparison.
Rosy pink new leaves are observed in Callistemon salignus. Is similar thing observed in Callistemon citrinus? My photos clearly show these pink leaves (also creamish yellow) at the tip of the inflorescence.
When I will get an opportunity I will check the scent of the crushed leaves of the tree in question.

These cultivated species are quite confusing.
I could not get a hand on good keys net. If you get any, pl. let me know.
I have gone by our observations as per as per comparative images and details at Callistemon

You said it right. It is confusing. Thank you for your efforts. If I find any more information I will definitely contact you.


.

/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DSC_6494.jpg

Beautiful Trees & Shrubs of Calcutta- generally flowers twice in a year, during spring (March- April) & autumn (Oct.- Nov.). 2 pictures for you – indiantreepix | Google Groups

.



Callistemon citrinus ‘white anzac’: 4 very high res. images.

Location: Eden Project, Cornwall, UK
Altitude: 60m.
Date: 03 April 2022
Habit : Cultivated

References:
https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/callistemon-white-anzac-anzac-bottlebrush/


 


.

References:
POWO (Melaleuca citrina) The Plant List Ver.1.1  WCSP

Comments

  1. Saroj Kasaju

    According to POWO new name is Melaleuca citrina (Curtis) Dum.Cours. !
    Thank you
    Saroj Kasaju