Calothamnus formosus

Calothamnus formosus is a large, spreading, densely branched shrub growing to a height of about 2.5 metres (8 ft), sometimes higher, with thick bark on the older stems. Its leaves are crowded on the ends of the younger branches, 40–90 millimetres (2–4 in) long, 0.8–1.2 millimetres (0.03–0.05 in) wide, linear, almost circular in cross section and tapering to a sharp but not prickly point. The flowers are crimson and arranged in short clusters of 3 to 5, usually on the older, leafless stems. The petals are thin and papery, 3.5–6 millimetres (0.1–0.2 in) long. The stamens are arranged in claw-like bundles with 26 to 32 stamens per bundle. The claws are yellow-green near the base but otherwise crimson. Flowering occurs from August to December and is followed by fruits which are woody, roughly cylindrical capsules, 6.6–8 millimetres (0.26–0.31 in) long, 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) in diameter and have a warty surface.