Calliandra californica
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Calliandra californica, the Baja fairy duster, is an evergreen, woody shrub, native to Baja California, Mexico. In Spanish, the plant is also known vernacularly as tabardillo, zapotillo[1] or chuparosa.[2] The flowers, which appear in early summer, have clusters of red stamens. The shrub is usually Script error: No such module "convert". in height and has bipinnate leaves. The leaves have been described as "fern-like."[3] Leaves close at night time.[4]
Calliandra californica is cold tolerant to temperatures of Script error: No such module "convert".,[4] though its roots will tolerate temperatures as low as Script error: No such module "convert"..[5] It grows best in full sun.[4] C. californica is very drought tolerant, needing only Script error: No such module "convert". of water every year.[5] However, additional watering will encourage C. californica to bloom through summer and again in the fall.[5]
Propagation of C. californica is done through "acid scarification" or vegetative cutting.[4] Seed pods from this plant look like "snow peas" and when ripe, they explode.[3] The pods are flat and about Script error: No such module "convert". long.[5] After ejecting seeds, the curled open pods remain attached to the plant for some time.[6]
Calliandra californica attracts both bees and hummingbirds.[4]
Along with many other legumes and leadworts (Plumbago),[7] it is a host plant for the Marine Blue caterpillar (Leptotes marina).[8]
In landscaping, it is suggested that C. californica is used in borders or foreground plantings, as an island accent or even in containers.[5]
References
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