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(Calliandra surinamensis)
Powder Puff Plant (Calliandra surinamensis)
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Dinesh Valke
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Dinesh Valke
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Dinesh Valke | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: Dinesh Valke | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Calliandra surinamensis, commonly known as Powder Puff Plant, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to open woodlands and forest edges in Northern South America, particularly in Suriname, hence the name. It typically grows to a height of about 5 meters with a low branching habit, forming multiple trunks. Some sources may underestimate its size, suggesting it only reaches 3 meters. The plant has a distinctive appearance with long, thin branches that can droop to the ground if left unpruned. Its bipinnate leaves are sensitive to light and touch, closing at dusk and drooping until morning when they reopen.
The Powder Puff Plant is known for its showy, spherical flower heads consisting of numerous long, silky stamens, which can be red, pink, or white. These flowers are short-lived and can be sticky, leading to a reputation for messiness when planted over parking areas. Despite this, the plant’s year-round nectar and pollen production makes it a valuable source of food for wildlife such as lorikeets and fruit bats. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires low water once established, preferring soils with medium drainage. It is often used as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical gardens for its unique flowers and is suitable for urban planting, borders, and as a specimen plant. However, gardeners should be aware of its potential to drop sticky flowers and consider placement carefully.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Powder Puff Plant is known for its showy, spherical flower heads consisting of numerous long, silky stamens, which can be red, pink, or white. These flowers are short-lived and can be sticky, leading to a reputation for messiness when planted over parking areas. Despite this, the plant’s year-round nectar and pollen production makes it a valuable source of food for wildlife such as lorikeets and fruit bats. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires low water once established, preferring soils with medium drainage. It is often used as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical gardens for its unique flowers and is suitable for urban planting, borders, and as a specimen plant. However, gardeners should be aware of its potential to drop sticky flowers and consider placement carefully.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Subshrub, Shrub
- Height: 10-15 feet
- Width: 7-9 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands and forest edges
Other Names
Common Names: Surinamese Stickpea, Powderpuff Plant, Pink Tassel-Flower, Pink Powder-Puff, Småbladig Kalliandra
Scientific Names: , Calliandra surinamensis, Calliandra tenuiflora, Calliandra angustidens, Acacia fasciculata, Mimosa fasciculata, Anneslia fasciculata, Anneslia surinamensis, Feuilleea fasciculata, Feuilleea tenuiflora
GBIF Accepted Name: Calliandra surinamensis Benth.