Range
Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southern California to southwestern New Mexico and northern Mexico.
Habitat
Open hillsides, sandy desert washes and slopes below 5,000 feet.
Flowers
Each light pink-to orange puff contains many flowers and is up to 2 inches in diameter. The flowers are darker toward the center, from which the long stamens radiate. Fairy Duster can bloom year round, but usually February through May.
Description
Fairy Duster is a low, densely branched shrub 8 to 48 inches high. The leaves are formed by 2-to-4 pairs of 1/4-inch, oblong leaflets. It is a member of the Pea Family (Fabaceae) which includes acacias and mimosas.
This thornless, perennial shrub provides food to many desert animal, birds and insects. Fairy Dusters are also called:
- Calliandra
- False Mesquite
- Mesquitilla
- Hairy-leaved Calliandra
