Calliandra surinamensis

(Powder Puff or Pink Tassel Flower)

Description

This much-branched spreading shrub, with bipinnate leaves, i.e. each pair of leaflets (pinnae) are in turn divided into about 6 pairs of leaflets (pinnules), is from northern South America. The large showy heads of pink flowers resemble powder puffs or very large wattle-type flowers, although the petals are small the numerous stamens which are white towards the base and pink towards the top are colourful. The fruit is a pod to about 4 cm long.