Fairyduster
Calliandra eriophylla
Apache Trail, Superstition Mts., Maricopa Co., Arizona. 7 Nov. 2018.
FLOWERS: Very long, conspicuous stamens are rose-pink. The flower petals
by contrast are small and add little to the flower's showiness. Several flowers
are borne together in each spherical cluster.
SHRUB: A low shrub rarely over 1 m tall. Leafless during periods of
extended drought and after frost.
LEAVES: Finely dissected, bi-pinnate leaves. The leaves close up at night
and if the plant is heavily disturbed/broken.
FRUIT: Flattened bean pods are held erect and begin to curl with
maturity.
RANGE: Common on rocky slopes and along wash banks in the Sonoran
Desert. More common at higher elevations, ca. > 700 m.
UNARMED: Many similar looking leguminous woody plants are thorny. The
lack of thorns adds to the appeal for horticulturists.
A similar species
origninally native to Baja California has bright red flowers and is extensively
cultivated throughout the cities of the southwestern United States:
Baja Fairyduster