Family: Legume (Fabaceae)

Description: Slender shrubs, rarely to 10 m tall, nearly glabrous; leaves with 15�20 pairs of pinnae; the leaflets rounded or very obtuse, not curved. Flowers in mimosa-like "powderpuffs", the corolla glabrous or nearly so. Each flower opens for a single night to display showy filaments, which usually are white at the very base and red at the tip (although they may be pink). By the next day, the filaments have wilted, and unfertilized flowers drop. Pods 8�11 cm long, ca 1 cm wide, with 3�15 seeds. With their bipinnate leaves, calliandras superficially resemble Leucaena and Mimosa species. Leaves are normally shed in prolonged dry seasons. This species is most prevalent in areas with a dry season.

Found: Along river banks or disturbed areas

Note: Used as a fuelwood in tropical countries due to its rapid growth and ability to resprout after coppicing.