The origin and identity of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn. and its synonym C. confusa Sprague & Riley (Mimos.)

In Indonesia a species known as Calliandra calothyrsus is considered to be a very useful plant in agroforestry. The plant concerned is also treated in a separate publication by the National Research Council (1983). According to Verhoef (1941) it was introduced by this name to Indonesia from Guatemala in 1936. Confusion arose about the true identity of this introduction, as C. calothyrsus is not known to occur naturally in Guatemala or in adjacent countries, therefore, herbarium material of the taxon introduced into Indonesia was requested in order to be compared with the original description and type of Calliandra calothyrsus. This species was described by Meissner in 1848, based on a specimen collected by Kegel in Surinam ‘insylvismontosispropeflum. Mariepaston, m. Majo 1846 legit Kegel n. 1465 (sine fr.)’. Kleinhoonte (1940), in her treatment of the Mimosaceae for the Flora of Suriname, cites for this species (as Anneslia calothyrsus (Meissn.) Kleinh.) the type only, and no further collections, but she confines its distribution to Guatemala. This is in accordance with the information given by Verhoef. An investigation of the Utrecht herbarium did not reveal any collection of this species from Surinam.