General Description:

Kunzea is closely related to the genus Callistemon (the bottlebrushes) and also bears some similarity to Melaleuca and Leptospermum. There are about 40 species occurring in all states and territories. One species also occurs in New Zealand. They are small to medium woody shrubs and the majority occur naturally in south Western Australia.

Some of the main differences between Kunzea and its close relatives are:

• The five sepals and petals are deciduous (persistent in Callistemon).
• The stamens are longer than the petals (shorter in Leptospermum).
• The stamens are free (united in five bundles in Melaleuca).
• Seed is released from the ripe fruit annually (usually retained on the plant in the other three genera).

Kunzea pauciflora is a small shrub to about 1.5 metres high.  The linear shaped leaves are 4-7 mm long and about 1 mm wide. The five-petalled, pink flowers have prominent stamens and occur at the ends of short branchlets. They and are similar in appearance to those of Leptospermum and are seen from winter through to spring.

This species is not well known in cultivation. It is particularly suited to Mediterranean climates (dry summer – wet winter) but will also grow in more humid climates provided excellent drainage is available in a sunny or lightly shaded position.

Propagation of K.pauciflora is easy from both seed and cuttings. If seed is being collected, the plants need to be kept under observation or the seed will be lost.