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Fairy Duster, Pink Fairy Duster, Mock Mesquite
Scientific Name: Calliandra eriophylla Benth.
Synonym: Calliandra chamaedrys
Family: Fabaceae

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Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 10-24 USDA: 7b-11 Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 5°F (-18°C), but will freeze to the ground if the temperature is too cold Sun Exposure: Full sun Origin: Baja California, Mexico, California to Texas, USA, at 2000 to 5000 feet elevation (600-1500 m) Growth Habits: Semi evergreen, spineless shrub, 1 to 3 feet tall (30-90 cm), 3 to 4 feet wide (90-120 cm), bipinnately compound leaves, 1 to 1.5 inches long (2.5-3.7 cm), 0.5 inch wide (12 mm), 2 to 4 pairs of pinnae, each with 5 to 10 pairs of leaflets, 0.12 to 0.2 inch long (3-5 mm) Watering Needs: No watering needed when established, but it looks better with some water Propagation: Easier from seeds, cuttings are also possible

Cultural Practices:
Beware of mealy bugs and mites.

Blooming Habits:
The interesting 1-inch (2.5 cm) flower clusters with light pink to reddish-purple stamens looking like a miniature duster comes in February to May, and again in the fall.

Fruiting Habits:
The Pink Fairy Duster bears flattened pods with thickened margins, opening explosively from the tip to the base, ejecting the seeds several yards away.

Propagation:
It is a good idea to chip or soak the seeds to speed up germination.