Red calliandra

Value for beekeeping

Red calliandra is a fast-growing leguminous small tree from Central America, known for its flowers with red tufts of stamens. In Indonesia, East Africa and other tropical countries it is planted over large areas for fodder, firewood and soil improvement. It gives plenty of nectar and pollen; in Indonesia the honey from this plant is sold as a separate product.

Flowering

In a suitable climate it flowers for much of the year. The flowers open in the afternoon and evening; the nectar is secreted for night-flying bats and moths, while honey bees collect the remaining nectar and the pollen early in the morning.

Honey and pollen

Calliandra honey is a well-known monofloral honey in Indonesia; reliable general information on its colour and crystallisation is limited.

Note for the beekeeper

Thanks to the nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots it grows on poor soils too and resprouts quickly after cutting; it is a species recommended for tropical beekeeping together with agroforestry. It naturalises in some island ecosystems. It does not tolerate frost.