Calliandra biflora

Herbs, not profusely branched. Stems erect, to 40(–60) cm, strigose throughout. Leaves: stipules linear-lanceolate, to 5 mm; pinnae 1–3 pairs; leaflets 8–20(–24), blades oblong to ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–6 × 1–2 mm, surfaces strigose abaxially, glabrous adaxially. Peduncles solitary or fasciculate, axillary, in short, terminal pseudo-panicles prior to anthesis, 0.4–1(–1.2) cm. Heads 1 or 2 (or 3)-flowered units. Flowers sessile; calyx 1.5–2.5 mm, strigose; corolla 4–6 mm, strigose; filaments (14–)19–24, red or white, to 24 mm. Legumes dark brown, oblong-lanceolate or oblanceolate, to 7.3 × 0.8(–1) cm, thickly papery, not translucent, strigose. Seeds 1–3(–6), rhomboid, 7–8 × 5–6 mm.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting spring–summer.
Habitat: Sandy or loamy soils over caliche, in Tamaulipan thorn scrub or grassland.
Elevation: 30–150 m.

Tex., Mexico (Tamaulipas).

Discussion

Calliandra biflora has been recorded from a relatively small area in DeWitt, Goliad, and Victoria counties, and from eastern Tamaulipas, Mexico. Calliandra biflora and C. humilis are unusual among members of Calliandra by being perennial herbs.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa