Accession Count: 2
Common Name:
lebbeck, woman's tongue, siris
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Albizia lebbeck
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Characteristics:
The dark green leaves, over 30 cm long (12 inches), are bipinnate with 2-4 pairs of pinnae and leaflets 2-5 cm long (1-2 inches). The pale yellow/green Mimosa-like flowers are 2 inches in diameter and have small petals joined at the base with many showy stamens. Pods are roughly 25 cm long (9 inches), dark reddish brown, and persistent for several months.
Compound:
Alb leb
Geographic Origin:
Old World Tropics
Ecozone Origin:
Indomalaya
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The name “Woman’s Tongue” comes from the rattle pods make in the breeze. Albizia lebbeck is a common street tree in the Middle East and Northern Africa. According to the Miami-Dade (Florida) Resources Management website, it was planted along a 5-mile avenue from the Nile to the Great Pyramids to commemorate the opening of the Suez Canal in the 1880's. Plant explorer Dr. David Fairchild was enthralled by these trees and introduced them to Florida in 1899 where they quickly established. ======================================================================= Natural History of the UA Campus Arboretum Specimens: The two trees on the UA campus are another legacy of Warren Jones. He remembered gathering the seeds from a cultivated tree in a small town on the Baja California peninsula where it was valued for its shade. Now well established, the campus trees have the classic spreading shape of an open-crowned legume.They are situated on a southern exposure near an open basketball court, and can withstand winter nights into the mid 20's (F). Despite the species' invasive reputation, no additional plants have been recorded.
Cultivation Notes:
Although in wetter climates Albizia lebbeck is more common, even rather invasive, it is a tree that we might consider for commercial use where temperatures are mild and where drip irrigation is the more normal source of water. The tree is reported to be tolerant of alkaline soils, salinity, and salt spray, with shallow roots that assist in reducing soil erosion. Seeds can be germinated easily if the standard hard-seeded legume scarification processes are followed. Seedlings should be encouraged to develop a broad root zone. Wide spacing of drip emitters should augment root epansion while judicious use of landscape water would restrict excessive spread.
Ethnobotany:
Albizia lebbeck has dozens of uses throughout the tropical latitudes. Reforestation and firewood plantations top the list; the wood is dense and strong. In addition, it is often used as the overstory tree for tea groves or coffee plantations. Bark can be used for soap and for tanning. Wood makes fine material for cabinet wood furniture and veneer. The foliage and pods are used for fodder. Reports from the Purdue University New Crops website show high crude protein and carbohydrates from both seeds and leaves. Folk remedies include treatments for boils, cough, eye ailments, flu, lung problems, and leprosy.
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Spread:
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Toxicity:
Benign
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