Japanese name: ベニゴウカン（紅合歓） Scientific name:Calliandra eriophylla
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub growing to about 0.2–1 m in height.
The branches have no thorns and are densely hairy.
The leaves are alternate and bipinnately compound, 2.5 cm long, consisting of 1–4 pairs of pinnae, each bearing 6–10 pairs of leaflets 0.5 cm long.
The leaflets are elliptical, with hairs on the underside.
The flowers are borne several to a head-like inflorescence 2–3.5 cm across in the leaf axils, with many long stamens that stand out.
The stamens are rose pink to white.
The fruit is an oblong, flat pod 2.5–7 cm long and 0.5–0.8 cm wide, with thickened margins.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, fertile soil.
It has weak cold tolerance, so bring it indoors to a sunny place in winter.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter keep it on the dry side.
In spring, apply organic fertilizer or slow-release chemical fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests and diseases include spider mites and scale insects.
