Description
Albizia julibrissin is a medium-sized deciduous tree, growing up to 15 m tall, with an open, often umbrella-shaped crown. Leaves are alternate, bipinnate, with 4 to 12 (sometimes up to 20) pairs of pinnae. Each pinna itself is divided into 10 to 30 pairs of small pinnules, which are sessile, asymmetrically linear to oblong, 6 to 18 mm long and 1 to 7 mm wide, with the main vein close to the upper margin, ciliate margins, and an apiculate tip. At the base and tip of the petiole are small glands, and stipules are present, smaller than the pinnules, but deciduous. The bark is dark gray, thin but rough, without ridges. Twigs are fairly stout, often yellowish-hairy when young. Flowers are borne in clusters at the ends of branches, produced between April and August. Flowers have a tubular calyx that is 3 mm long, and a funnel-shaped corolla that is 8 mm long, divided at the tip into five triangular lobes about 1.5 mm long. The most noticeable parts of the flower are the filaments, which are pink, 2.5 cm long, creating a “powder-puff” appearance. The style is long and slender, and with a minute stigma. These mature into a legume, which is 9 to 15 cm long and 1.5 to 2.5 cm long, hairless, flat, and strap-shaped, containing 8 to 12 seeds (Wu et al. 2010; Sibley 2009; Ali 1973).
Two subspecies of Albizia julibrissin are known. The main subspecies julibrissin has calyces that are not velvety, while subspecies mollis has velvety calyces; the latter also has somewhat wider leaves (Ali 1973).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Albizia julibrissin is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree. It prefers well-drained, moist soils in full sun to light shade, and is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9 (MBG). It is widely used in traditional medicine. The bark juice is used for, among other ailments, boils, ulcers, cuts and wounds, and anxiety (Quattrocchi 2012). The wood is used for furniture, and the leaves are used for fodder (Orwa et al. 2009).
Distribution
Albizia julibrissin, at least in Japan where it is native, is found in woods and riverbanks (Ohwi et al. 1965). It is often found in disturbed areas (Orwa et al. 2009). It is native to Asia, from Iran to Japan, but the subspecies mollis is restricted to the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Bhutan (Ali 1973). It has naturalized in many places around the world, such as the United States from New England to California, Peru, Europe, North Africa, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Korea, South Africa, and New Zealand (Hassler 2022). It is invasive in the United States, particularly in watersheds as the seeds can disperse via the rivers (MBG).
Status
References
Ali, S. I. 1973. <i>Flora of Pakistan. Vol. 36 (Mimosaceae)</i>. Karachi: University of Karachi, Department of Botany, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.<br><br>Hassler, M. 2022. World Plants. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of the World Flora. Version 14.0; last update 2022 August 2. [accessed 2022 Aug 15]. <a>www.worldplants.de</a><br><br>MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Albizia julibrissin. <i>Plant Finder</i>. [accessed 2022 Aug 15]. <a>https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280416</a><br><br>Ohwi, J,, Meyer, F. G., Walker E, H. 1965. <i>Flora of Japan</i>. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.<br><br>Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R., and Anthony, S., 2009. <i>Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide, Version 4.0</i>. Nairobi: World Agroforestry Centre.<br><br>Quattrocchi, U. 2012. <i>CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology</i>. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.<br><br>Sibley, D. A. 2009. <i>The Sibley Guide to Trees</i>. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.<br><br>Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2010. <i>Flora of China. Vol. 10 (Fabaceae)</i>. Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
