Calliandra haematocephala

Red Powder Puff

With its stunning silky pom-pom-shaped flowers, the Red Powder Puff is one of the most spectacular shrubs in tropical gardens. Its vibrant red blooms contrast beautifully with its light and delicate foliage, offering a colorful display that attracts both visitors and numerous pollinators.

Visible au jardin

Our Species

Red Powder Puff

Nom scientifique :

Calliandra haematocephala

Nom vernaculaire :

Red Powder Puff

Carte d’identité
de l’espèce

Native to South America, the red powder puff is an ornamental shrub prized for its abundant blooms and elegant silhouette. Its finely cut foliage and unique inflorescences make it a particularly popular species in tropical gardens worldwide.

Famille :

Fabaceae

Origine géographique :

Tropical and Subtropical America

Taille :

3 to 6 meters

Floraison :

All year round

Habitat :

forest edges, tropical gardens, and sunny areas

Classe :

Magnoliopsida

Ordre :

Fabales

A spectacular pompom-shaped bloom

The powder puff tree develops light foliage made up of many small leaflets, giving it an airy appearance. Like several species in the Fabaceae family, its leaves have the unique characteristic of partially folding up at nightfall.

Its bloom is its main attraction. The flowers are grouped into spherical inflorescences made up of hundreds of long red stamens with lighter tips. The very discreet petals are almost unnoticeable, while the stamens form the famous powder puffs that gave the plant its name.

In Martinique's tropical climate, flowering can recur for much of the year. The nectar-rich flowers attract numerous pollinating insects and some birds that come to feed.

Thanks to its relatively fast growth and abundant flowering, the powder puff tree is often used as a standalone specimen or integrated into tropical shrub beds. Like the Chinese hibiscus or the Chinese hat plant, it contributes to the floral richness that makes tropical gardens renowned.

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