Fairy Duster
Calliandra eriophylla Fabaceae Family ( Pea ) Fairy Duster. Also Called: False Mesquite, Mock Mesquite, Hairy-leaved Calliandra.
A low-growing evergreen shrub.
Height: 1 - 3 feet tall, with a spread of 3 - 4 feet.
Flowers: Pink 2" flowering balls, formed by the long pink filaments of 20 or more stamens emerging from small clustered flowers.
Blooming Time: February - May. Sometimes again in the fall.
Leaves: Bipinnately compound, 1 - 1.5 inchs long 1/2 inches across; with fern shaped leaflets, 0.5 inch wide, 2 to 4 pairs of pinnae, each with 5 to 10 pairs of leaflets, 0.12 inch up to 0.2 inch long.
Seeds: Dehiscent pods which pop open and eject seeds for a great distance at maturity.
Found: Statewide. Very common low water use landscaping plant in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
Elevation: Below 5200 Feet.
Habitat: Ornamental in lower elevations or Arizona. Introduced from tropical America.
Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken March 22, 2003 in Glendale area.
