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November 13, 2011

Red Powder Puff

By now my regular visitors know that I don't know the first thing about flowers or plants. Except that they sure are pretty. And I like to get my camera close to them.

Manila, 2011

It would be safe just to call these red powder puffs. No one would take me seriously. But I'm going to stick my neck out... again... and identify these as Calliandra, a genus of flowering plants in the pea family. Maybe of the species Calliandra emarginata.

[Enlarge for better view.]
"Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the every day things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon." 
~ Booker Taliaferro Washington (1856–1915), American author

"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) American writer

This bush stands right at the front gate to our house. The powder puffs bloom right after it rains; then the puffs go away until after the next downpour. I'd never really taken notice before. Here you can see that it's a rather ordinary looking bush... until you look closely.

34 comments:

  1. Traveling HawkNovember 13, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    This is a shrub that I like very much. It blooms in summer in Romania too, but it is not winter resistant here. The shots you took are nice, especially that macro.

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  2. Ms. BeckyNovember 14, 2011 at 12:40 AM

    that's an amazing flower, I especially like the close-up shot of the branch with the opened/unopened buds. I've never seen anything like it, and I love it's exotic nature. it almost seems too beautiful and unique to be real! happy day to you Francisca.

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  3. Sallie (FullTime-Life)November 14, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    I've seen something like this in Florida but the blossoms are longer -- people call it the bottlebrush tree (so obviously I don't even know anyone who really knows how to ID plants.. posderpuff plant sounds good to me. -- your pictures are exquisite.

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  4. Reader WilNovember 14, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Your photos are so exquisite, especially the macro photo of the powder puff. In Australia they are also called powder puffs. Very beautiful!

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  5. cieldequimperNovember 14, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Prettyyyyyy! Can one gently pluck a flower in the early morn to waken one's beloved with a brush on his/her cheek?

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  6. Kay L. DaviesNovember 14, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Well, I'm going to stick MY neck out and say you are absolutely right about the definition. I looked up the Latin name you mentioned and the photos are right on. It's a gorgeous thing, Francisca. Lucky you. And your photos are always beautiful.

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  7. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪November 14, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I see these in Malaysia and Singapore too.

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  8. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪November 14, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Sallie (FullTime-Life's comment about the bottle brus, bottle brushes are longer.

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  9. DeniseinVANovember 14, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Hi Francisca, this is a beautiful flower and I have enjoyed all your photographs, but that macro shot is absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing and have a great week.

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  10. AndreaNovember 14, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I agree they are more beautiful in your photos, very vivid clear photos! And did you see the small white/bluish translucent heart at the bottom right of the first photo. After seeing it, i saw your first quote, and i smiled! Maybe that quote is for me.

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  11. SaunNovember 14, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    Gorgeous!!!! they are beautiful

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  12. forgetmenotNovember 14, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Gorgeous macro shots, and such an unusual and beautiful flower. Mickie :)

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  13. Arnab MajumdarNovember 14, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Those are some brilliant shots :) I don't know much about flowers and plants either, but I think I've seen these flowers near my home as well. Never bothered to look at them quite this way, though... now I'll surely be on the lookout :)

    Cheers,
    Arnab Majumdar
    ScribbleFest.com

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  14. Oakland Daily PhotoNovember 14, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Wow. That last macro is thrilling!

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  15. TesNovember 14, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    beautiful capture! I am fascinated with this plant. i would like to plant one in my yard :)

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  16. Hootin AnniNovember 14, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Around here, in the deserts of America, we call the plant a "Bottle Brush". Aren't they beautiful?!!!

    My link for today is: GARDEN FLOWERS

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  17. Vicki/JakeNovember 14, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Oh, the beauty I'd miss if not for you and your camera! And I love Red Flowers no matter what they're called :)

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  18. AnonymousNovember 14, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    I've never heard of them before, the flowers are really beautiful!! The details are amazing :-)

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  19. CarolaNovember 14, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Nice flower shots. I like this type, saw it in Ecuador.
    Great quotes.
    And I do like the "word verification free".
    Francisca, I will answer your comments on my blog soon.

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  20. KarenNovember 14, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    How exotic! That macro is stunning with such great detail.

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  21. LowellNovember 15, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    That's one of the most beautiful bushes I've ever seen and your photographs are superb!

    I like the way you call 'em like you see 'em...Calliandra sounds good!

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  22. Pat TillettNovember 15, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    I only know that it is beautiful! Very nice photos. At first glance I thought it was "bottle brush." I probably know less than anyone about plants.

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  23. IdaNovember 15, 2011 at 3:49 AM

    Stunning! - Love the way this flower blooms, it's like bursting fireworks.
    Your photo's and mosaic are really wonderful.

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  24. HNovember 15, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    They are so delicate. Powder puffs is a good description. I love how they bloom only after rain; like a thank you for the watering.

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  25. jennyfrecklesNovember 15, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Not just pretty, they're gorgeous. Such a rich colour too. I don't think we have them here.

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  26. Anita JohnsonNovember 15, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Wow! I would love to see those...most of our color is gone here for the year...a sepia world with an occassional blue sky! These photos are gorgeous.

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  27. PondsideNovember 15, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    How exotic!
    I'm sure that Red Powder Puff is a fine name!

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  28. KalaNovember 15, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    Fantastic details of those powder puffs. And the color is just beautiful.

    Happy MM

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  29. People Who Know Me Would Say:November 15, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    These photos are wonderful. My favorite is the first: the combination of colors, textures and resolution are out of this world.

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  30. genieNovember 16, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    That super macro after the mosaic is unbelievable. You did an awesome job with that one. Kudos to you. By the way, you really warm my heart when you say you love the flowers but do no know the names. I think you and I must be the president and vice president of the “I Love Flowers but Don;t Know the Names Club!” genie

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  31. UnknownNovember 17, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    So beautiful! The close-up shot is fantastic.

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  32. Carole M.November 17, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    fabulous photos; beautiful flower

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  33. NatureFootstepNovember 17, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    love it. You got some really good macros of them. I´ve seen similar ones but only in gardens hard to access. :)

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  34. IngridDecember 16, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Breathtaking beauties!!

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