Calothamnus hirsutus

Calothamnus hirsutus is a compact, many-branched shrub growing to a height of about 1.0 metre (3 ft). The older branches are corky but the younger shoots are densely hairy. Its leaves are usually 20–25 millimetres (0.8–1 in) long, 0.5–0.8 millimetres (0.02–0.03 in) in diameter, cylindrical in shape and taper to a non-prickly point. They have many well-spaced, upright hairs on their surface and conspicuous oil glands.

The flowers are deep red and in dense clusters of 4 to 8 individual flowers, usually on the older branches and between the leaves. The petals are 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) long, thin, papery and orange to brown. The stamens are arranged in 5 claw-like bundles with 20 to 25 stamens per bundle. Flowering occurs from October to February and is followed by fruits which are woody, almost spherical capsules which are hairy at first but become glabrous with age. The fruits are 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) in diameter.