We are following the treatment in Tropicos (http://www.tropicos.org/Name/13004723) with Calliandra grandiflora (L'Hér.) Benth, being treated as a synonym of Calliandra anomala. Some other treatments, however, (see https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=409058) treat Calliandra grandiflora as the correct name and Calliandra anomala as the synonym[].

Common Name:

General Information

Calliandra anomala is an erect shrub that can range in height from 1 - 4.5 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild and used locally as medicine and a source of tannins. It is also occasionally grown as an ornamental, being valued especially for its beautiful flowers[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central America - El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala to northern Mexico.

Habitat

Level or mountainous places and sometimes along streams[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in the tropics and subtropics[].
Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

The root is used to retard the fermentation of Tepache, a beverage made from pulque (an alcoholic drink made from the sap of Agave spp.) and sugar[, ].

Medicinal

The plant is said to contain a glucoside, calliandrine. In domestic medicine it is used for treating fevers, especially malaria, although experiments have indicated that its reputation for this purpose is not justified[].

The flowers, crushed, mixed with water, and used as drops, are a wonderful remedy for diseases of the eye, for they correct inflammation and remove morbid growths, and heal ulcers[].

If the decoction or infusion of the juice is drunk, it stops diarrhoea and dysentery, stimulates the appetite, and relieves indigestion[]. There are those who say also that it soothes the chest, relieves the belly, removes the bile by vomiting, and is also a remedy for coughs[].

An astringent, viscid extract from the roots is used in the treatment of eye diseases, diarrhoea and indigestion[].

Agroforestry Uses:

All members of this genus have extensive root systems and are useful for binding the soil[].

Other Uses

The plant is a source of tannins[, ].

The wood of Calliandra species is generally of medium-texture, heavy, hard, strong and easy to work, but not highly lustrous. Where large enough, the wood can be used for small carpentry work, implement handls, frames etc, and it is also used for fuel[]

Propagation

Seed -

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