Melaleuca sp.
Bottlebrush, Bottlebrush
Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Melaleuca sp. (Bottlebrush) is a non-native California shrub in the Myrtaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Metrosideros: Check flower cluster position - Metrosideros at branch ends, Melaleuca encircles whole stem; vs Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus flowers have detachable caps; bottlebrush has normal petals in dense spikes; vs Calliandra: Fairy duster has pink puffballs and compound leaves; bottlebrush has simple leaves and cylinders; vs Veronica: Speedwell has small tubular flowers in loose spikes; bottlebrush has dense stamen bursts; vs Acacia: Acacia has yellow fuzzy spheres; bottlebrush has colorful cylindrical spikes
Frequently asked questions
Is Melaleuca sp. native to California?
No. Melaleuca sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Melaleuca sp. belong to?
Melaleuca sp. is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Melaleuca.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.