St Mary's College, Sulthan Bathery   /   Plant

Plant Details

Calliandra haematocephala Hassk.

Calliandra haematocephala, commonly called red powder puff, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Bolivia. It was formerly included in the legume or pea family, but has recently been shifted into the mimosa family. It typically grows 10-15’ tall in its native habitat and is a very popular flowering shrub in central and southern Florida where it will survive year-round in the ground. Bipinnately compound leaves (5-10 pairs of leaflets per pinna) open copper-pink but mature to dark green. Raspberry-like flower buds open to hemispherical red powder puff flower heads (to 3” across) consisting of masses of scarlet stamens. Blooms primarily in fall and winter, but sporadic additional bloom may occur throughout the rest of the year. Variations in flower color exist, with some pink and white forms being available.Genus name comes from the Greek words kalli- meaning beautiful and aner or andros meaning male, hence a stamen in reference to the flower's many stamens.Specific epithet means blood-red head in reference to the flowers.

  • Family: Mimosaceae
  • Habit: Tree
  • Habitat: Open areas, roadsides, often cultivated, forest edges
  • Status : Common


Vernacular names

English - Red Powder Puff

Other - Blood Red Tassel Flower , Powder Puff , Red Powder Puff

Medicinal Uses

  • Relief from haemorrhoids, the prevention of infection, reduced inflammation, and the elimination of seizures.
  • Modulation of the immune system for ulcer prevention.
  • The flower’s decoction serves as a tonic and blood purifier.