Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Species:
houstoniana
ID:
174431

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Mill.) Standl.

Source:
ildis

Year:
1922

Citation Micro:
Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb.23: 386 (1922)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000173760



Common Names

  • Powderpuff
  • Desert-Willow
  • Calliandra


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Synonyms

  • Mimosa houstoniana Mill. [valid]
  • Acacia houstoni (L'Her.) Willd. [unknown]
  • Mimosa houstonii L'Her. [deprecated]
  • Anneslia houstoniana (Mill.) Britton & Rose [valid]
  • Anneslia lucens Britton & Rose [deprecated]
  • Mimosa houstoni L'Her. [deprecated]
  • Acacia metrosiderifolia Schltdl. [unknown]
  • Calliandra metrosiderifolia Benth. [unknown]

Description

Calliandra houstoniana (also called Houston's Powderpuff, among many other common names) is a species of flowering shrub in the Fabaceae family. It is native to tropical South America and is found in the moist lowland forests of the Amazon Basin. The shrub grows to a height of 1–2 m and has a trunk diameter of up to 10 cm. Its bark is grey-brown and its leaves are pinnate with 3–7 leaflets.

Uses & Benefits

Calliandra houstoniana is used for its wood, which is used for making furniture, musical instruments, and sculptures. It is also used for its medicinal properties, such as treating fever, coughs, and skin diseases.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Calliandra houstoniana var. anomala (Kunth) Barneby
Calliandra houstoniana var. colomasensis (Britton & Rose) Barneby
Calliandra houstoniana var. acapulcensis (Britton & Rose) Barneby
Calliandra houstoniana var. calothyrsus (Meisn.) Barneby
Calliandra houstoniana var. houstoniana

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Calliandra houstoniana is a pink or red, five-petaled flower. The seed is a small, round, black bean. The seedlings are small, with two cotyledons and a single stem.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Calliandra houstoniana is a perennial shrub native to South America. It can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained, sandy soil mix and kept moist. Cuttings should be taken from semi-ripe wood and placed in a moist, sandy soil mix. The cuttings should be kept in a warm, humid environment until they have rooted.

Where to Find Calliandra houstoniana

Calliandra houstoniana is native to Mexico and Central America. It can be found in tropical and subtropical forests.

Calliandra houstoniana FAQ

What is the scientific name of Calliandra houstoniana?

Calliandra houstoniana

What is the common name of Calliandra houstoniana?

Houston's powderpuff

What is the natural habitat of Calliandra houstoniana?

Tropical and subtropical dry forests

Species in the Calliandra genus

Calliandra paniculata, Calliandra aeschynomenoides, Calliandra angustifolia, Calliandra belizensis, Calliandra biflora, Calliandra bijuga, Calliandra blanchetii, Calliandra bombycina, Calliandra brenesii, Calliandra brevicaulis, Calliandra californica, Calliandra calycina, Calliandra carcerea, Calliandra chilensis, Calliandra crassipes, Calliandra depauperata, Calliandra dysantha, Calliandra enervis, Calliandra fasciculata, Calliandra foliolosa, Calliandra fuscipila, Calliandra glomerulata, Calliandra grandifolia, Calliandra hirsuticaulis, Calliandra hirtiflora, Calliandra juzepczukii, Calliandra laevis, Calliandra leptopoda, Calliandra longipinna, Calliandra luetzelburgii, Calliandra macrocalyx, Calliandra medellinensis, Calliandra molinae, Calliandra palmeri, Calliandra parvifolia, Calliandra peninsularis, Calliandra pilgeriana, Calliandra pittieri, Calliandra purdiei, Calliandra quetzal, Calliandra rhodocephala, Calliandra rigida, Calliandra rubescens, Calliandra seleri, Calliandra sessilis, Calliandra sincorana, Calliandra spinosa, Calliandra subspicata, Calliandra tolimensis, Calliandra trinervia,

Species in the Fabaceae family

References

Paul Carpenter Standley (1884-1963): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Standl.' in the authors string.
Philip Miller (1691-1771): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Mill.' in the authors string.