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Native Plant Database

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Calliandra conferta (Rio grande stickpea)
Cliffe, Harry

Calliandra conferta Benth.

Rio Grande stickpea, Fairy duster

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: CACO

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A woody shrub with many branches, a mimosa-like appearance and stands three to ten inches in height. It resides in caliche and limestone of the South Texas Plains and Edwards Plateau.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Fruit: Black
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country, Hillsides/Slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Caliche type, Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Nectar-hummingbirds, Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-bees, Seeds-granivorous birds, Cover, Browse, Nesting site. This plant is often foraged by cattle and white-tailed deer.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: No

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0701 Collected Apr 1, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
NPSOT 1137 Collected May 15, 2000 in Bexar County by Paul Cox

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Calliandra conferta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Calliandra conferta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calliandra conferta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-07-12
Research By: TWC Staff

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