CALISTEMON LINEARIS. 



NATURAL ORDER, MYRTACE^E. 



p^^ifT may be disputed whether the above name is the proper one 

 1 iL I for this plant, but after careful study of various books it seems 

 :'J^:ri to me without doubt to be correct, especially as I find it is the 

 name by which people generally know the plant. 



Don writes of this genus as follows: "All small trees worthy of 

 cultivation, from the neatness of their foliage and beauty of their 

 blossoms, especially those with splendid flowers of crimson and white." 



On close observation this species will be found to have tiny white 

 flowers, the crimson tint being given by the clusters of final elongated 

 stamens, tipped with black. 



The effect of these long brilliant stamens is aptly described by 

 Ferminsier " as numerous tufts of bottle-brush crimson flowers." 



It is a woody, low-growing bush or tree, very pretty when covered 

 with the soft crimson ball-like tufts of blossom. 



The buds are small green knob-like balls, and it is peculiar to see 

 them when half expanded, as a few flowers open producing their stamens, 

 while the remainder of the bud is still greenish-brown. I have endea- 

 voured to give this strange look in the picture. 



When withering the blossoms look deplorable, as they do not drop 

 off, but the faded stamens lie dejected on the stalk, turning black and 

 brown. 



The under side of the leaves is a light, pale yellow, while the upper 

 is dark green, rather shining. The foliage is described by Ferminger 

 as " willow-like." ■ 



The seed pods protrude also in a cluster, but I found layers took 

 well and were the best mode of propagation. 



The roots spread far under the surface ; consequent!)' it is a 

 hazardous undertaking to try transplanting these bushes. 



They are of very slow growth, and require little or no pruning. 



The beauty of each head only lasts one day, the tender stamens 

 withering at sunset. 



I should certainly recommend this shrub to all anxious to have 

 ornamental and curious flowers in their sfardens. 



