Calliandra haematocephala - Powderpuff
Family Fabaceae

Description:

About two hundred species of Calliandra are native to warm parts of North and South America, Asia and Madagascar. Their small flowers are held in bunches. The showiest parts of the flowers are the long, colorful stamens (the filaments that hold pollen at their tips.) The rounded cluster of flowers is bright red and about three inches in diameter. Seed pods are bean-like. 

Location:

See this plant on the southeastern corner of building 1.

Size:

Large shrub to ten feet tall in warm climates.

Care Instructions:

Light: full sun to part shade

Water: somewhat drought tolerant, responds well to irrigation

Soil: very adaptable, well-drained

This plant must be at or a little past its northern limit in most of Jacksonville and should be planted in a warm, protected site. It is likely to die back in winter. In a protected site, it will resprout in spring most years. It grows well in sun or partial shade. It responds well to irrigation but does not grow well in a soggy soil.