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Albizia lucidior - (Steud.) I.C.Nielsen ex H.Hara

Common Name Potka siris tree
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Evergreen and secondary forests, usually in more open, secondary formations and in thickets; at elevations from 600 - 1,900 metres[266 , 404 ].
Range E. Asia - China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Albizia lucidior Potka siris tree


qsbg.org
Albizia lucidior Potka siris tree
qsbg.org

 

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Summary

A fast growing, beautiful tree, native to the moist forests of North-East India


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Albizia lucidior is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Albizia gamblei Prain Albizia lucida (Roxb.) Benth. Albizia meyeri Ricker Inga lucidior Steud. Mimosa lucida Roxb.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil conditioner  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: The tree has an open canopy, fixes atmospheric nitrogen and has soil improvement qualities. It is often left when the forest is cleared, especially to provide shade in tea plantations, and is sometimes also planted in such places[404 , 730 ]. Other Uses: The heartwood is brown, with dark streaks and alternating dark and light coloured concentric bands; the sapwood is white. The wood is very hard and of good quality, but is not used in India[146 ]. The wood is used for construction and making furniture[404 , 730 ]. The wood can be used for fuel[404 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Management: Standard  Regional Crop  Staple Crop: Protein

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 34c, but can tolerate 6 - 42c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 2,400mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 5,000mm[418 ]. Grows best in a sunny position, but tolerates light shade[418 ]. Succeeds in most soils of moderate fertility[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[418 ]. The tree is a host of the lac insect (Laccifer lacca), the female of which secretes the resin 'lac' that was formerly used to make shellac[730 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200 ].

Carbon Farming

  • Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
  • Staple Crop: Protein  (16+ percent protein, 0-15 percent oil). Annuals include beans, chickpeas, lentils, cowpeas, and pigeon peas. Perennials include perennial beans, nuts, leaf protein concentrates, and edible milks.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Langit, Moz, Num-hpun-kap, Pohon sengon siris, Thanthat

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Yunnan Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu) TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Albizia julibrissinMimosa, Silktree, Mimosa Tree,Tree12.0 6-9 FLMHNDM222
Albizia lebbeckSiris Tree, Woman's Tongue, East Indian WalnutTree15.0 10-11 FLMHNM124
Albizia proceraWhite Siris, Tall Albizia, Forest SirisTree25.0 10-12 FLMHNM124

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Steud.) I.C.Nielsen ex H.Hara

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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