Calliandra brevipes, Calliandra selloi, Acacia selloi

Spectacular bloomer! Attractive shrub with finely divided leaves and clusters of red powder-puff flowers. It is native to southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. One of the most beautiful of the Calliandra species, it is a medium- to large-sized shrub with a graceful growth habit. Silky, pink-white, powder-puff-like flowers appear during the summer months. The fine foliage is an attractive mid-green color.

Close related Calliandra eriophylla is native to deserts and arid grasslands in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and Mexico. A hardy calliandra with flowers and leaves looking very similar to tropical Calliandra selloi. Densely branched, deciduous shrub to 3 ft., though usually much shorter, with grayish-pubescent leaflets, flowers and pods. The petals of fairy duster are inconspicuous; it is the long, pink filaments of the stamens that make the showy display. This little shrub blooms in spring. The exquisite clusters of flowers with their many long stamens form delicate, pink balls, giving the plant a fluffy pink appearance in full bloom. It belongs to a group of mostly tropical woody plants that includes acacias and mimosas.

Calliandra californica

Calliandra calothyrsus

The genus Calliandra contains 132 species. Most are endemic to the Americas, but a few species are endemic to the South Asian subcontinent or Africa, including Madagascar. Most species are shrubs or small trees, although a few are large trees or herbs. Multi-stemmed shrub reaches a height of 12-18 Ft, but in favourite conditions can Calliandra calothyrsus reaches a height of 30-36 Ft. nearly glabrous. The leaves divided into many straight leaflets and can get up to 8"long and 6" wide with 15-20 pairs of pinnate; the leaflets rounded or very obtuse, not curved and folds against the stem at night. Flowers in mimosa-like "powderpuffs" and mature over months. Each flower opens for a single night to display showy filaments, which usually are white at the very base and red at the tip (although they may be pink). By the next day, the filaments have wilted, and unfertilized flowers drop. The pods are 3" to 5" long with 3-15 seeds, they take 2-4 month to develop. It occurs in areas with 2-4 month dry season (<50mm/month rainfall), but it has been found in areas with prolonged dry seasons. It has been observed that lower mean annual temperatures of 68F have a negative effect on Calliandra calothyrsus. It can grow in much different kind of soils, including acids soils (to pH 5.0), but does not tolerate water logging. Calliandra calothyrsus seeds require no pretreatment, though hot water treatment has been reported to speed up germination. Can be direct seeded or stump cuttings can be used. Stumps should be from approximately 1-meter tall plants by cutting the stem back to 12"and the roots back to 7". Calliandra calothyrsus is the most widely used species in the genus. In 1936, Indonesian foresters planted it in screening trials to evaluate its potential as a shade tree for coffee plantations. Although the species proved unsuitable for this use in Indonesia, farmers on Java have planted C. calothyrsus widely for fuel wood production and land reclamation. It is also planted for green manure, animal fodder, bee forage, and pulpwood. Calliandra seems to be free of any serious pests. Sometimes trees produce few seed because a species of beetle eats the flowers and flower buds. There is a possibility that this plant become weedy. If stems are harvested roughly or cut too low (recommended height is 05 meters), stumps can become susceptible to fun gal attack.

Calliandra emarginata, Inga emarginata

This species has dwarf growth habit, and blooms year round. The plant is always covered with flowers. The name Calliandra means "beautiful stamens", and several of the approximately 150 shrubs and small trees belonging to this genus are grown for their dense heads of pink or white silky stamens that appear on short stalks along the upper sides of the branches. Propagation is easier from seeds, cuttings are also possible. The name Calliandra comes from the Greek for 'beautiful stamens'. The globular flowerheads can be up to 2.5 inches in diameter (6 cm).

This plant can be trained either in a small standard tree or a nice round bush.

Calliandra haematocephala x surinamensis Nana

Compact variety of Calliandra very close related to C. haematocephala (15 ft tall tree) and C. surinamensis (4-6 ft tall shrub), somewhat between these two species in size that can be grown as a small 7-10 ft tree or a medium shrub. Very dense beautiful foliage, leaves are somewhat smaller than C. haematocephala. Bright pink powderpuff flowers, everblooming. Makes excellent specimen tree or container plant.

Calliandra haematocephala, Calliandra inaequilatera

Calliandra means "beautiful stamens", and several of the approximately 150 shrubs and small trees belonging to this genus are grown for their dense heads of pink or white silky stamens that appear on short stalks along the upper sides of the branches. The species name haematocephala comes from the greek for with blood-red head. Trim after it finishes blooming. Flowers: 2-3 inches, big red or white puffs, in winter and spring.

Calliandra houstoniana

Calliandra houstoniana is a fast growing small tree or large shrub with fine feathery foliage and bright red fine structured powderpuff flowers. This species is very close to calliandra calothyrsis, but the flowers open fully, unlike c. calothyrsis, where the flower opens gradually from the bottom to the top.

The genus Calliandra contains 132 species. Most are endemic to the Americas, but a few species are endemic to the South Asian subcontinent or Africa, including Madagascar. Most species are shrubs or small trees, although a few are large trees or herbs.

Calliandra parvifolia

The genus Calliandra contains 132 species. Most are endemic to the Americas, but a few species are endemic to the South Asian subcontinent or Africa, including Madagascar. Most species are shrubs or small trees, although a few are large trees or herbs.

This species with tiny leaves blooms almost year round with clouds of pink-white powderfuffs. It is very hardy, survives some freeze without dropping leaves.

Calliandra riparia, Calliandra schultzei

A dwarf variety, perfect houseplant, good for bonsai. Beautiful oriental looking plant.

Calliandra sp.

Species and varieties:

Calliandra californica

Calliandra eriophylla X Calliandra californica

Calliandra calothyrsus

Calliandra emarginata

Calliandra haematocephala

Calliandra haematocephala x surinamensis Nana

Calliandra houstoniana

Calliandra parvifolia

Calliandra schultzii 'Rose Cascade'

Calliandra selloi

Calliandra surinamensis

Calliandra tetragona

Calliandra tweedii