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Calliandra tergemina var. emarginata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Barneby
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Anneslia emarginata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Britton & Rose, Inga emarginata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd., Calliandra cruziana (Britton & Rose) Standl., Calliandra yucatanensis (Britton & Rose) Standl. Mimosa coriacea Poir. |
| Common Name: | Red Powderpuff Plant, Miniature Powder-puff, Dwarf Powder Puff, Tarbardillo, Cat's Tail, Clavellino, 红粉扑花 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby, Open |
| Maximum Height | 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Colombia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Leguminous, erect, woody shrub or small tree with graceful tiers of horizontal branches. Can be pruned and grown as bushy shrub. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves compound, opposite, leaflets shaped like kidneys or lungs, light to medium green, with 3 leaflets (2 paired terminal ones, 1 lone and smaller) per petiole. Young leaves orangey, maturing to green. Leaflets and petiole somewhat velvety due to fine surface hairs. Leaves droop and fold up at night. |
| Flowers | Globular Mimosa-like powderpuff inflorescence, 2.5 to 6 cm across, with numerous red or pinkish-red filamentous stamens, lasting 2-3 days before wilting. Unopened flowers buds resemble a bunch of red berries. Free-flowering, providing nectar for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies like Parthenos sylvia (Malaysian Blue Clipper). |
| Fruit | Flattened dehiscent seedpods. ripening from green to brown, with thickened margin, before splitting open explosively from tip to base, twisting back in a double curve to eject seeds several meters away. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Similar:: Inflorescences resemble those of Calliandra haematocephala's, but latter species has 6-10 pairs of smaller leaflets instead. |
| Cultivation | Provide well-watered, well-drained soils. Takes full sun to partial shade. Plant assumes sprawling and lower-growing form under full sun, but is more upright with more open crown under shade. Somewhat slow-growing, but withstands transplanting. If grown as bonsai, wire up younger branches to train them into desired shapes; plant may be temporarily potted in larger containers to encourage thickening of trunk and branches. Propagate by seeds (easier) or stem cuttings. Occasionally affected by white flies and scale insects. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Calliandra' derived from Greek for 'kalos' 'beautiful' and 'andros' 'stamen', a reference to the plant's conspicuous silky-red inflorescence stamens. Species epithet tergermina means 'three-paired' and refers to the 3 leaflets present on each leaf stalk. Variety epithet 'emarginata' means 'with a notched margin', describing how the mature terminal leaflets are cleft in the centre. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Flowers are crushed and mixed with water to treat inflammation of the eye and ulcers of the skin. The leaf extract is prescribed for internal complaints. Others: Plant is a source of an effective tanning agent. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Bonsai, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, General, Focal Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Butterfly Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting, Butterfly Host Plant, Butterfly-Attracting, Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Butterfly, Moth), Vertebrates (Bird)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Pruning | Plant takes pruning well. Can be be trained as small standard tree, or as rounded bushy shrub. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Easier to propagate by seeds. Seedlings flower within 2 years. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Orange |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Mature Bark Texture | Scaly |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Time-Independent |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | [Remarks] (2-3 days) |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant - Remarks | 2-3 days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1478 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2771 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
