General Description:

Callitris is a genus of coniferous trees found in Australia and New Caledonia.  There are 16 species, 13 of which occur in Australia. Like all conifers, Callitris are not flowering plants and they produce their seeds in woody cones.

Callitris glaucophylla was previously included within Callitris columellaris and that classification still applies in Western Australia.  It is a tree to about 20 metres high but may be much smaller in very dry habitats.  The scale-like leaves are up to 3-5 mm long, about 0.5 mm wide and usually of a bluish-grey colour. The small, brown male cones occur at the ends of branchlets, while the ovoid female cones develop on small twigs and are up to 30 mm diameter.  The latter have 6 ‘valves’ which open on maturity to release the seeds.

This is a very hardy and ornamental plant for most reasonably drained soils in temperate and sub-tropical regions. It also performs well in a large container.

Propagation is best from seed which germinates easily without any pre-treatment.  Propagation from cuttings can also be carried out but they may be slow to strike.