Most of us would balk and raise our eyebrows if someone asked if we speak fluent floriography, isn’t it? Probably because not many of us are aware of there being an actual language such as this. However, floriography is a language and those who know to speak it, do so quite eloquently and expressively.

So what is floriography actually?

Floriography is the ‘language of flowers’ and the conveying of messages and meanings through the symbol of flowers. Surprisingly, it’s not a new fad that marketing gurus have cooked up recently, as the language has been in existence since before the Victorian era and was possibly in use long before that too. In fact, floriography is not the only language known to mankind; it is thought that there also exists a language of trees. Though scientific discovery about this language is still in its nascent stage, it is thought that trees do communicate and send one another signals in times of distress or times of attack.

Nonetheless, if we were to think of what trees actually signify to human beings and attempt symbolising their importance in our lives, it becomes amply clear that ever since Adam and Eve walked the earth and plucked an apple of the tree, these silent leafy beings have been more than mere foliages painting a pretty picture, they are veritable life giving benefactors that symbolise life and existence on this planet.

From the air we breathe to the food we eat

Having understood the deeper connection of trees and their intrinsic link with mankind, its only obvious that we attempt to bring ourselves closer and hearken to the quiet expressions they convey. This is why bit by bit we endeavour to bring forth a feature on the many aromatic/ ornamental/ medicinal trees that will be planted at our site as well as while enumerating some of their many usages as we know of them.

This month we feature the bottle brush tree also known as the Callistemon viminalis tree and learn a bit more about this wonderful wooded friend.

The bottle brush tree

Finding its origin in the two Greek words ‘callis’ and ‘stemon’ (which refers to the flowers stamen), the trees name Callistemon translates to beautiful stamens. In fact, quite literally resembling a bottle cleaning brush that bedecks most kitchen counters, the bottle brush tree is one that bears beautiful, uniquely shaped flowers that lend its special feature to its distinct name. Also known as the Ringworm bush, the tree is called by other names such as the Weeping bottle brush and Cheel in Hindi.

Usually a commonplace tree found planted in parks and public places (mainly because of its vibrant flowers and pretty leaves) the bottle brush tree is being researched and studied for its many health giving benefits and its many medicinal properties.

There are some contrary reports that state otherwise though, so caution should be exercised before consumption or application of its leaves and oils.

How to recognise the tree from afar

Bottle brush tree is quite an easy one to identify on account of its uniquely shaped, not entirely roundish, 6 inch long brush like flowers, however, if one is still a bit confused take a look at the leaves and the branches for therein lay the other distinguishing features of the tree. A hint to that end would be in the name itself, for the tree is also called as a ‘Weeping’ bottle brush.

Resembling a weeping willow with downward floppy branches, the brushwood of the tree is quite unlike any other. Then again, the bottle brush trees leaves are also quite unusual as they not only have a distinctive clinical smell but they’re immediately recognisable by their thin, elongated and pointy almost over 2-3 inch long, dull green leaves (remember the tree is renowned for its effervescent flowers, no one said the leaves have to be beautiful too).

Sweet as nectar

The studies on its leaves, though not entirely proven, have shown that the leaves contain certain oils that have antibacterial, diuretic, antibiotic, anti-infective, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, what’s notable about the tree is that the oils and chemicals-‘Cineole, pinene and menthyl acetate’ found in the leaves contains properties that acts as insect repellents besides displaying strong antibacterial properties, possibly explaining why aside from bees (who’re there for the nectar of course) no other insect can be found preying on the tree. It is thought that the oils also find their use in animal health studies, especially in the treatment of bacteria’s and gut related microbes found in animals.
Not just a pretty flowering tree!