Common Name: Weeping bottle brush
Weeping bottle brush is a tree which grows to a height of about 7 meters; after reaching a height the branches tend to droop downwards. The leaves have a pleasant aromatic smell. The bark of the tree is grey in color with vertical fissures. The leaf stalk and leaf length measure around 4 mm and 3 cm respectively. The leaf shape is elliptic-lanceolate, the leaf base and tip are acute. The leaf is light green in color and slightly hairy on both sides. The inflorescence is in the form of long spike. The calyx is seen green in color and is cupular in shape; five sepal teeth’s can be seen. The flower has nearly 25 filamentous stamens; each appearing separate but joined below at the bottom of the flower. The flower has a single stigma measuring 2.4 cm. The anther and pistil appear red in color-this makes the flower look red. The fruit is in the form of woody capsule containing several small seeds. Weeping bottle brush is a common road and ornamental tree in hill stations in Tamilnadu. In some areas of Coimbatore it is planted as a hedge / wind break tree. The tree is a native of Australia which has been naturalized in India. This tree is frequented by birds for its nectar.
