Red Powder-Puff

Calliandra riparia Pittier

kal-lee-AN-druh   rye-PAIR-ee-ah

Mimosaceae (Legumes)

Key to Calliandra L

Synonyms: Calliandra schultzei Harms (GRIN)

Explanation of name: Calliandra means beautiful stamen (DEH). Riparia means of the banks of rivers (STE).

Natural range: South America (BAR)

Recognition: Shrub. Leaves bipinnate with 1 pair of  pinnae, which contain 7-11 pairs of  leaflets, to 1" long.  Flowers in ascending powder puff heads, corolla is greenish or whitish, numerous tassel pink stamens. Fruit a stiffly ascending pale brown legume, 2"-3" long (BAR)

Landscape uses: Specimen tree (PBCC)