Calliandra haematocephala, the red powder puff, is a species of flowering plants of the genus Calliandra in the family Fabaceae native to Bolivia. In its native habitat it typically grows to about 3âÂÂ4.5 m (10âÂÂ15 ft) tall and is widely cultivated as an ornamental flowering shrub in warm climates, where it can grow outdoors year-round.
Rambling shrub or small tree with branched pinnate, silky leaves and powder-puff-like balls of conspicuous dark crimson stamens. Calliandra haematocephala is a fast growing shrub that can grow tall but also spreads wide. It is a spreading, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, reaching a size of up to 5 m tall. Pinnae 1 pair; leaflets (4âÂÂ) 5âÂÂ8 (âÂÂ10) pairs per pinna, narrowly ovate, elliptic, or obovate, the distal ones 15âÂÂ84 mm long and 5âÂÂ35 mm wide, the proximal ones smaller. Its new growth is auburn or reddish and thickly hairy.
The genus name Calliandra derives from the Greek kalli- (âÂÂbeautifulâÂÂ) and aner or andros (âÂÂmaleâÂÂ), referring to the prominent stamens of the flowers. The specific epithet haematocephala means âÂÂblood-red headâÂÂ, alluding to the colour and form of the flower heads.
The raspberry-like buds develop into hemispherical flower heads up to about 7.5 cm (3 in) across, composed of dense clusters of bright red stamens that give the inflorescences their characteristic âÂÂpowder puffâ appearance. Capitula spherical, heteromorphic, peduncles axillary, 1.2âÂÂ3.3 (âÂÂ5.3) cm long, flowers essentially glabrous; calyx campanulate, 1.5âÂÂ3 mm long; corolla tubular, 8 mm long; filaments red, occasionally white, staminal tube briefly exserted, except in the central flower where it is strongly exserted. Its brilliant red or pinkish red flowers (occasionally white) are borne in large, globular clusters 5âÂÂ10 cm in diameter in the upper leaf axils. The flowers possess numerous prominent stamens, giving the clusters a soft, fluffy appearance.
Flowering takes place throughout the year, but mainly during autumn and winter, although additional blooms may appear sporadically throughout the year. The red powder puff flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds but only appear from November to April in the Northern Hemisphere. The buds before the flowers open look like raspberries. Fruit coriaceous, glabrous.
The plant prefers full sun, although it can handle some shade throughout the day, particularly in warmer climates. It cannot withstand frost. It can be grown indoor if trimmed and grown in a pot but it will be best if it grows outside in a warm climate. This species reproduces solely by seed, which is usually spread by water and through the dumping of garden waste. 'Red powderpuff' is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in south-eastern Queensland. A white-flowered variety, Calliandra haematocephala âÂÂAlbaâÂÂ, is also commonly grown in the region. No significant insect or disease issues are known, though caterpillars, spider mites, and aphids may occasionally occur.
Both the red- and white-flowered forms have begun to escape cultivation and become naturalised in parts of south-eastern Queensland. The species frequently self-seeds in gardens near cultivated plants and has been recorded spreading along waterways in Brisbane, including Ithaca Creek, Enoggera Creek, and Kedron Brook, as well as in disturbed native flora in coastal areas such as Macleay Island in Moreton Bay. As a result, it is regarded as a prospective or developing environmental weed in the region.
Extracts from parts of Calliandra haematocephala have been used in the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanostructures, magnetite nanoparticles, and silver nanoparticles.