Calliandra

Calliandra calothyrsus

A fast-growing leguminous shrub-tree native to Central America, introduced to East Africa in the 1980s-90s and now one of the most widely adopted fodder trees in Kenyan smallholder dairy systems. Produces dense, showy red pom-pom flowers and nitrogen-rich foliage.

Family: Fabaceae
Tree type: agroforestry/nitrogen-fixing, fodder
Mature height (m): 4-6
Growth rate: fast
Lifespan (years): 15-20
Native region: Mexico and Central America

Environment

Growing Conditions

Climate requirements: Thrives in Kenya's mid-to-high altitude zones (800-2000m), sub-humid to humid areas with 1000-2500mm rainfall; does not tolerate frost or waterlogging.
Soil types: Tolerates acidic, infertile soils where many other legumes fail; prefers well-drained sites.
Water requirements: Moderate; establishes best with reliable rainfall but shows reasonable drought tolerance once established.

Cultivation

Planting & Care

Planting guide: Propagated from seed (often scarified/hot-water treated), planted at 0.5-1m spacing in hedgerows along contours or field boundaries at the start of the rains; commonly used in alley cropping and boundary/hedge systems.
Care guide: Cut back to about 0.5-1m every 6-8 weeks (coppiced) to stimulate leafy regrowth for continuous fodder supply.

Phenology

Flowering & Fruiting

Flowering season: Year-round, peaking in drier months
Fruiting season: Following flowering, variable

Value

Uses & Economic Importance

Uses: High-protein (20-25% crude protein) dairy cattle fodder, green manure/mulch, firewood, live fencing, soil erosion control, and bee forage.
Economic importance: A cornerstone of Kenya's smallholder dairy fodder programs since the 1990s (promoted by KARI/KALRO, ICRAF and dairy development projects), reducing reliance on costly purchased concentrates.

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