Calliandra inaequilatera

Family: Leguminosae

The Hawaiian name describes the flower and the plant's introduction to Hawaii.  The flowers resemble the blossom of the lehua and the plants were introduced by the white man.  This plant is a native of Bolivia and is considered a shrub; however, it can attain the size of a small tree. Several other species are also grown ornamentally in Hawaii but differ in blossom size and color.