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Albizia julibrissin - Durazz.

Common Name Mimosa, Silktree, Mimosa Tree,
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open sunny ravines, forests and by rivers up to 2100 metres in the Himalayas[51, 158].
Range W. Asia and E. Asia - Iran to China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Albizia julibrissin Mimosa, Silktree, Mimosa Tree,


(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010
Albizia julibrissin Mimosa, Silktree, Mimosa Tree,
(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Albizia julibrissin is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Acacia mollis. Acacia julibrissin.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Sunny Edge; South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses: Gum  Tea

Young leaves - cooked. An aromatic flavour[2, 106, 178, 179], they are used as a potherb[183]. Flowers - cooked. Eaten as a vegetable[183]. The dried leaves are a tea substitute[177, 183].

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.
Analgesic  Anthelmintic  Carminative  Digestive  Diuretic  Oxytoxic  Plaster  Plaster  
Sedative  Stimulant  Tonic  Vulnerary

The flower heads are carminative, digestive, sedative and tonic[176, 218, 238]. They are used internally in the treatment of insomnia, irritability, breathlessness and poor memory[176, 238]. The flowers are harvested as they open and are dried for later use[238]. The stembark is anodyne, anthelmintic, carminative, discutient, diuretic, oxytocic, sedative, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary[176, 178, 218]. It is used internally in the treatment of insomnia, irritability, boils and carbuncles[238]. Externally, it is applied to injuries and swellings[238]. The bark is harvested in spring or late summer and is dried for later use[238]. A gummy extract obtained from the plant is used as a plaster for abscesses, boils etc and also as a retentive in fractures and sprains[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Fodder  Gum  Plaster  Plaster

A gummy extract of the plant is used as a plaster[178]. No more details are given. Wood - dense, hard, strong, takes a good polish. Used for furniture, industrial applications, firewood etc[74, 158, 272].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Agroforestry Services: Alley crop  Agroforestry Services: Contour hedgerow  Agroforestry Services: Crop shade  Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Fodder: Bank  Fodder: Insect  Industrial Crop: Biomass  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Regional Crop

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil and a very sunny position[200]. Succeeds in dry soils. Highly fertile soils can promote soft sappy growth which is frost tender[200]. Trees tolerate a high pH, saline soils, high winds and drought[200, 238]. They also succeed in poor soils[238]. Trees prefer a more continental climate than Britain[11] and when dormant are hardy to about -20°c in such a zone[200]. They are only hardy to about -10°c in the maritime climate of this country[200]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. They succeed on a sunny wall at Kew[11], and also in a more open but sunny sheltered position there[K], but only really succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[1]. If killed back to the ground by a severe winter, plants can often resprout from the base[200]. The form 'Rosea' is hardier and more compact, succeeding even in the drier parts of Britain if given some protection[11]. Plants are quite tolerant of pruning and can be fan-trained for growing on a wall. Any pruning is best done in late winter or early spring[202]. Often grown as a summer bedding plant[1]. Quite tolerant of being transplanted[200]. Plants often produce suckers[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. 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]. Special Features:Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy.

Carbon Farming

  • Agroforestry Services: Alley crop  Integrates annual crops with rows of perennials.
  • Agroforestry Services: Contour hedgerow  Alley cropping systems on the contour of slopes.
  • Agroforestry Services: Crop shade  Plants providing crop shade especially trees.
  • Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
  • Fodder: Bank  Fodder banks are plantings of high-quality fodder species. Their goal is to maintain healthy productive animals. They can be utilized all year, but are designed to bridge the forage scarcity of annual dry seasons. Fodder bank plants are usually trees or shrubs, and often legumes. The relatively deep roots of these woody perennials allow them to reach soil nutrients and moisture not available to grasses and herbaceous plants.
  • Fodder: Insect  Plants grown for useful fodder insects.
  • Industrial Crop: Biomass  Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels
  • Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
  • 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.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - pre-soak 24 hours in hot water and sow March/April in a greenhouse or sow as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[113]. Germinates in 2 - 3 months at 19°c. Scarification helps[133]. There are about 11,000 seeds to a pound, about 25 - 33% of which germinate[227]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors[K]. Root cuttings, late winter in a greenhouse[113, 200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Suckers planted out in late winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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.

This plant can be weedy or invasive in Florida and Tennessee.

Conservation Status

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

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
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Albizia lucidiorPotka siris treeTree15.0 10-12 FLMHSNM003
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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Durazz.

Botanical References

1151200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

[email protected]   Thu Sep 6 2007

I find that the seeds will germinate in about 3 days not months on a full sun window sill if scarified, soaked for 24 hours and very lightly covered with sand or similar. I then have problems with younge plants though as the leaves seem to crinkle and drop and the plant dies. I think this is because of a lack of tollerence of direct sun in the early stages. I've yet to get any beyond 3 months indoors. My last plant from my last seed is hanging in there though on an indirect sill.

   Fri Oct 5 2007

I have had a lot of luck with the plants self sowing from the parent tree. Let them grow for 1 year then pot them up in a 6 inch pot sell them at the local market about 6.00 each.

Leonie Moore   Tue Dec 11 2007

Hi. We have a young Albizia (red flower) that is only one year old. This season (Early Summer down here in New Zealand) the tips of the leaves have turned white. Do you know what may be causing this, and what we need to do? Thanks. Regards, Leonie & Ben Moore

Marinella Zepigi   Mon Jun 9 2008

Acta plantarum forum botanico Albizzia julibrissin Durazz. Description, Photos

Anca Sirbu   Thu Jun 26 2008

Hi! I have a 4 years old Albizia that never bloomed. Can anyone tell me how long do i have to wait to see the first flowers? [email protected]

   Thu Jul 31 2008

I have a nice picture of a mature Acacia julibrissin, in full bloom which your are free to use if you acknowledge the source. If you want it, let me know! ---Charles E. Dills--- San Luis Obispo, California, USA [email protected] [email protected]

martin nicklin   Thu Sep 25 2008

My Albizia is planted in quite an exposed site and at a relatively high altitude in mid-Shropshire. Contrary to the usual advice, it has been subjected to some serious frost. The plant is about 7 years old and has developed into a shapely small tree. It has flowered for the last three years, although not as profusely as I would want. However, it has got better each year so patience is rewarded.

Keith Johnson   Thu Oct 22 2009

My experience with this tree is that it is hardy to at least zone 6 if not colder.

Mimosa Garden Tips and Information   Jul 16 2011 12:00AM

I found some information on the Mimosa http://gardenoftomorrow.com/albizia/mimosa-albizia-julibrissin-silk-tree-533/
Mimosa Garden Tips and Information

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