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Cliffe, Harry

Calliandra conferta

Calliandra conferta Benth.

Rio Grande Stickpea, Fairy Duster

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CACO

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A woody shrub with many branches, a mimosa-like appearance and stands about 1 foot in height. It resides in caliche and limestone of the South Texas Plains and Edwards Plateau.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall, sometimes taller.
Fruit: Black.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country, Hillsides/Slopes

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 on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

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

2 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

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

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Webref 1 - Texas Native Shrubs (2002) Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and Leslie Finical, Dallas Arboretum

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: 2022-12-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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