Melaleuca viminalis
Weeping bottlebrush, Weeping Bottlebrush
(c) Ben Machado, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ben Machado · licence
Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Melaleuca viminalis (Weeping bottlebrush) is a non-native California shrub in the Myrtaceae family, recognized by larger size, weeping habit, and elevation range.
Weeping bottlebrush is a naturalized shrub found in southern coastal California in disturbed areas at elevations of 30 to 330 meters. Flowering approximately all year, this plant produces striking red bottlebrush-like flowers in dense, cylindrical clusters. Growing as a shrub or small tree up to 15 meters tall with slender, arching branches, it forms a graceful, weeping silhouette. Its narrow leaves are 2.5 to 14 centimeters long, arranged alternately along the branches. The fruit is a small capsule 4 to 5 millimeters long, contributing to its ornamental appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by larger size, weeping habit, and elevation range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: 30-330 m
Outside California: native to eastern Australia
Bloom period
Melaleuca viminalis blooms +- all year.
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 viminalis native to California?
No. Melaleuca viminalis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Melaleuca viminalis bloom?
Melaleuca viminalis blooms +- all year.
What plant family does Melaleuca viminalis belong to?
Melaleuca viminalis is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Melaleuca.
What habitat does Melaleuca viminalis grow in?
Melaleuca viminalis grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.