Calliandra surinamensis

{{Short description|Species of legume}}

{{more citations needed|date=August 2021}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Calliandra surinamensis (8).jpg

|status = LC

|status_system = IUCN3.1

|status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group. |author2=Botanic Gardens Conservation International |collaboration=BGCI |date=2020 |title=Calliandra surinamensis |volume=2020 |page=e.T170268073A170268075 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T170268073A170268075.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}

|genus = Calliandra

|species = surinamensis

|authority = Benth.

|synonyms =

{{Plainlist | style = margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; |

• Acacia fasciculata (Willd.) Poir.
• Anneslia fasciculata (Willd.) Kleinhoonte
• Calliandra angustidens Britton & Killip
• Calliandra tenuiflora Benth.
• Feuilleea fasciculata Kuntze
• Inga fasciculata Willd.

}}

|synonyms_ref = {{citation

|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/ild-203

|title=The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species

|accessdate=19 June 2016}}

}}

File:Calliandra surinamensis (4).jpg

Calliandra surinamensis is a low branching evergreen tropical shrub that is named after Suriname, a country in northern South America. The plant usually has complexly branched multiple trunks and grows to a height of about 5 metres, although many sources suggest that it only attains a height of 3 metres. Left unpruned it grows long thin branches that eventually droop down onto the ground. The leaves close and droop from dusk until morning when they once again reopen. Calliandra surinamensis is said to contain lectins which are toxic to cancer cells, although more research is needed. Calliandra surinamensis contains three important compounds: myrectin which contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, lupeol which contains anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and ferulic acid which contains antimicrobial properties.