During the shelter-in-place, Sutro Stewards with partnership from Handson Bay Area created Nature in you Neighborhood a virtual volunteering experience where we challenge volunteers to go out into their backyard and neighborhoods to see what plants they can find near them! Below is one submission from our project with the youth from Handson Tomorrow. We hope you enjoy their discoveries!
By: Serena Zhang
Crimson Bottlebrush (Callistemon Citrinus)
The Crimson Bottlebrush is an invasive plant to California. Originating from Australia, the Crimson Bottlebrush is known for its flowers that appear to contain many needle-like structures. These structures are actually stamens, a flower’s male organ where pollen is contained. Because of the numerous amounts of stamen, animal pollinators like hummingbirds and bees particularly favor this plant.
The Crimson Bottlebrush grows in my backyard and takes up a huge part of my backyard. I have noticed that the Crimson Bottlebrush tends to attract all kinds of animals. Pollinators like hummingbirds and bees often go around the shrub for pollen. Other animals like wild cats use the shrub as a temporary place for rest and shade.
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