Description
Description for Powder Puff Plant, Calliandra
Calliandra is a large genus of tropical plants that consists of about 200 species of small trees and evergreen, flowering shrubs. Calliandra haematocephala, commonly known as the Powder Puff Tree, is native to South America.
Powder Puffs grow up to 10 feet tall with an equal spread, but dwarf, 3-6 foot varieties are also available.
Planting and care
Calliandras grow and flower best if they are grown in full sun, but they tolerate some partial shade, especially in hot summer regions.
They should be planted in reasonably fertile, moist but well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5.Powder Puff plants should be watered regularly and thoroughly to maintain evenly moist soil, especially during the summer growing season.
Caring for Powder Puff Plant
- Powder Puff plants can also be propagated with stem tip cuttings
taken during the spring months. - Dust each cut with a rooting hormone and strike into a peat moss/perlite mix at 75° until the cuttings are well rooted.
Typical uses of Powder Puff Plant
Special features: Container plant. Houseplant.
Ornamental use: The plant is used for ornamental purpose.
Medicinal use: No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
In Nigeria, roots used in the treatment of hemorrhoids. (7)
Elsewhere, decoction of the flowers used as blood purifier and tonic.
References
- http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a493
- http://www.stuartxchange.com/RedPowderPuff.html
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