Callistemon kenmorrisonii (Betka Bottlebrush) is a shrub

Shrub

A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...

 in the family Myrtaceae

Myrtaceae

The Myrtaceae or Myrtle family are a family of dicotyledon plants, placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, clove, guava, feijoa, allspice, and eucalyptus belong here. All species are woody, with essential oils, and flower parts in multiples of four or five...

. It is endemic to the state of Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

 in Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

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Description

Betka Bottlebrush is an upright or angular spreading shrub which grows to between 1 to 3 metres in height and 1 to 4 metres in width. It has grey bark which reveals white underneath after peeling. Its new growth is initially pink, becoming blue-green and eventually green with a non-glossy sheen. 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. These are followed by squat, woody fruits which become partially embedded into the stem.

Distribution

This species occurs in riparian scrub in an area of State forest on the upper Betka River

Betka River

The Betka River is a river of Gippsland in southeastern Victoria, Australia. For part of its length it flows through Croajingolong National Park before entering Bass Strait to the west of Mallacoota. It lends its name to the scarce Betka Bottlebrush which is found in one place along the...

  near Genoa

Genoa, Victoria

Genoa is a town in Eastern Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. It is close to the New South Wales border where the Princes Highway crosses the Genoa river. The town is an important access point to the Croajingolong National Park...

 in East Gippsland

East Gippsland

East Gippsland is the eastern region of Gippsland, Australia covering 31,740 square kilometres of Victoria. It has a population of 80,114....

. There are two colonies with a total population of 90 to 130 plants.

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described in Muelleria

Muelleria

Muelleria is a peer-reviewed scientific journal on botany published by the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. It focuses on topics relating to plants, algae, and fungi in the southern hemisphere and Australia in particular. The journal was named in honour of Victorian Government botanist Ferdinand...

in 1995 by Bill Molyneux

Bill Molyneux

Bill Molyneux is an Australian horticulturist and author who has researched and developed many popular cultivars of Australian plants, including Banksia 'Birthday Candles', and Isopogon 'Woorikee 2000'.He has also written books for the Australian garden...

. The species is named in honour of Kenneth Eugene Morrison, a former ranger of the Croajingolong National Park

Croajingolong National Park

Croajingolong is a coastal national park in Victoria, Australia, 427 kilometres east of Melbourne.The name is thought to derive from the aboriginal word Krowathunkooloong, the name of the tribe inhabiting that area of Victoria.-Description:...

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