Identifying a Barcelona Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

Mystery Bush from Barcelona's Ramblas Identified

A traveler bought a 2-foot bush in Barcelona with foot-long branches, laurel-like mid-green leaves, and a red flower composed of hundreds of soft red spines. A webcam photo aided identification.

Expert Identification: Callistemon (Bottlebrush)

The plant belongs to the genus Callistemon. Two likely species:

• Callistemon citrinus (citrus bottlebrush): leaves smell citrusy when crushed.
• Callistemon speciosus (showy bottlebrush): no citrus scent.

Common names include citrus or showy bottlebrush. The expert noted the plant is beautiful but not cold-hardy in their region.

Significance

Bottlebrushes are iconic Australian plants grown worldwide in mild climates. The distinctive "bottlebrush" inflorescence gives the genus its common name.