Learning Pharmacognosy with Urban Callistemon Flora

This paper discusses a plant genus, botanically called Callistemon. The species is indigenous to Australia, yet locally available as the ornamental horticulture. Walking passes its hanging red flowers would be like brushing the shoulders with bottlebrush, hence its vernacular name. In this mini project, a literature review is conducted to study its traditional values, natural product chemistry, and its environmental role. From the web articles and online botanical resources, this genus is an ideal suggestion for roadside and parks landscaping. The contribution of Callistemon in traditional Malay practice is undocumented, due to the non-native character of this tree. The natural constituents were chemically investigated, and it was reported to contain secondary metabolites, for example, the plant steroids. The environmental role of Callistemon is contributed owing to its dense foliage, rapid growth and resilience against strong wind. It is anticipated that more specimens could be witnessed and enjoyed by the society. City councils and property developers could include this genus as one of the educational and biological materials for the public knowledge and plant heritage. It is hoped that this writing provide information on Callistemon’s scientific investigations, at the same time, suggesting this urban flora as a live specimen, while teaching and learning the pharmacognosy lesson for pharmacists-in-training.

Course, Bottlebrush, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy

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