Medium shrub to about 3 m or so tall. Leaves linear, to about 1.5 cm long, the margins silky-hairy. Flowers stalkless in dense spike-like heads similar to those of Callistemon, crimson with yellow anthers; spring. Stamens about 1.5 cm long. Fruits with prominent pointed persistent sepals.

K. pulchella (Lindl.) A.S. George from WA also has spectacular bottlebrush-like flower spikes but is easily distinguished by the obovate silky-grey leaves. K. sericea (Labill.) Turcz.

WA.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Myrtaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.