Three new species of Calliandra section Monticola are described and illustrated: C. bromelioides, C. lewisii and C. oroboensis. All of them are endemic to the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. In addition we present a study of the pollen morphology using light microscopy and scanning electron micrographs. An identification key for the three new species and the most morphologically similar species in section Monticola is also provided.