Description and images of Calliandra chilensis (Espino rojo), a native Chilean plant, provided by the supplier of native exotic Chilean seeds, Chileflora.com

Image of Calliandra chilensis (Espino rojo). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Calliandra chilensis

IV Region, Cuesta Buenos Aires, Chile
Altitude: 300-400 m. 09 15, 2008

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Species:	Calliandra chilensis
Family:	Fabaceae
Order:
Chilean Name:	Espino rojo
English Name:
German Name:
Russian Name:

Record:	1081
	About 1 Calliandra in Chile and 1 in our data base.
	About 311 Fabaceae in Chile and 186 in our data base.




	Endemic Not Frequent Height: 1.5 m. Good ornamental value (A)

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INTRODUCTION

This is a rather strange-looking low shrub with small, but numerous flowers, the purple estambres of which give it a rather airy appearance.

Image of Calliandra chilensis (Espino rojo). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Calliandra chilensis

IV Region, Cuesta Buenos Aires, Chile
Altitude: 300-400 m. 09 15, 2008

DESCRIPTION

Plant type: Shrub

Flower: Red, 14 petals and more, also includes asteraceae

Height: 1.5 m.

Image of Calliandra chilensis (Espino rojo). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Calliandra chilensis

IV Region, Cuesta Buenos Aires, Chile
Altitude: 300-400 m. 09 15, 2008

HABITAT

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:

Habitat according to altitude:

Low altitude, interior valleys
Coastal mountains, 500 - 2000 m.
Coastal areas, 0 - 500 m

Watering conditions:

Extremely dry areas with very rare rainfall. The dry season lasts 8 - 12 months and in some years it is possible to have no rainfall at all. Rainfall less than 100 mm/year.
Dry, arid areas, with long drought periods of 6 - 10 months. Precipitations of 100 mm - 300 mm. are concentrated in winter.

Light conditions:

Fully exposed to the sun. Level areas or slopes facing north.
Some shadow. Some protection against direct sunlight, some shadow from vegetation, filtering about 20 - 40 % of light.

Image of Calliandra chilensis (Espino rojo). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Calliandra chilensis

IV Region, Cuesta Buenos Aires, Chile
Altitude: 300-400 m. 09 15, 2008

USES

Good ornamental value (A)

Image of Calliandra chilensis (Espino rojo). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Calliandra chilensis

IV Region, Cuesta Buenos Aires, Chile
Altitude: 300-400 m. 09 15, 2008

GROWING TIPS

This species has the following hardiness:

USDA Hardiness Zone 10 and 11. The plant does not tolerate freezing.

Relatively easy to cultivate

Recommended germination temperature: +14°C +18°C

It is not exactly a fast grower, and you can expect the first flowers to bloom in about four years. As with most fabaceae, the germination is rather easy, provided that you scarify the outer seed coat.

If you are interested in purchasing seeds of this or similar species, please go to our On-line Seeds Shop.