Callistemon kenmorrisonii, the Betka bottlebrush, is a shrub in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to the state of Victoria in Australia.[1]
| Betka bottlebrush | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Callistemon |
| Species: | C. kenmorrisonii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Callistemon kenmorrisonii | |
Description edit
Betka bottlebrush is an upright or angular spreading shrub which grows to between 1 and 3 metres in height and 1 to 4 metres in width.[2] It has grey bark which reveals white underneath after peeling.[2] Its new growth is initially pink, becoming blue-green and eventually green with a non-glossy sheen.[2] The stiff leaves are irregularly aligned as a result of twisted petioles. The crimson inflorescences appear predominantly between November and February in the species' native range.[2] These are followed by squat, woody fruits which become partially embedded into the stem.[2]
Distribution edit
This species occurs in riparian scrub in an area of State forest on the upper Betka River near Genoa in East Gippsland.[1] There are two colonies with a total population of 90 to 130 plants.[1]
Taxonomy edit
The species was first formally described in Muelleria in 1995 by Bill Molyneux.[3] The species is named in honour of Kenneth Eugene Morrison, a former ranger of the Croajingolong National Park.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c Carter, Oberon; Neville Walsh (November 2006). "National recovery plan for the Betka Bottlebrush" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
- ^ a b c d e f Molyneux, W. (1995). "Callistemon kenmorrisonii (Myrtaceae), a new species from East Gippsland". Muelleria. 8: 379–383. Archived from the original on 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
- ^ "Callistemon kenmorrisonii". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 2009-04-14.