Family: Fabaceae

Calliandra haematocephala, commonly known as red powderpuff, is a showy tropical shrub or small tree native to Bolivia. It is best known for its striking, bright red, pincushion-like flower heads made up of long, silky stamens that attract birds and pollinators. The plant has soft, feathery, bipinnate leaves and can grow several feet tall, forming a rounded, spreading shape. Red powderpuff is widely planted as an ornamental in warm climates for hedges, screens, and accent plantings, and it is valued for its long flowering season and ability to add vivid color to landscapes.

In general, red powderpuff is not considered a major invasive threat, but it can escape cultivation in some tropical and subtropical areas where conditions are favorable. It grows quickly, tolerates pruning, and can reproduce by seed, which may allow it to spread beyond planted areas if not managed. While it has not shown widespread aggressive behavior, monitoring is recommended to prevent unwanted establishment in natural areas, especially near sensitive native habitats. Responsible planting and maintenance help reduce the risk of this attractive ornamental becoming a problem.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Florida
  
• Other Calliandra species have become invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• N-fixing (may alter soil chemistry)
  
• Reproduces by seed
  
• Seeds dispersed by explosively dehisced pods and intentionally by people
  
• Able to resprout after pruning or cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively