Accession Count: 2
Common Name:
silk tree mimosa
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Albizia julibrissin
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Albizia julibrissin is a deciduous tree of which reaches a height of 15 feet and a width of 20 feet. The bark of A. julibrissin is relatively smooth and brown in color, but young branches tend to be lime green (5). The leaves of this species are described as decorative and ferny, as they are oblong and bipinnate with opposite leaf arrangements. These 25 pair leaflets are typically 1-1.5 cm long and are also light green (3). A. julibrissin also functions with landscape value for lawns, patios, and streets though it is hardy at 10℉. In addition to this, the species is also messy, so training is needed. A. julibrissin requires full sun, with moderate water about two times monthly.
Compound:
Alb jul
Geographic Origin:
East Asia
Ecozone Origin:
Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
A. julibrissin originated in China and then was later brought to Europe and North America in the 18th century (4). Now this species can be seen growing wild in parts of the United States including California all the way to Florida (2). This species was and still is used as an ornamental due to its refreshing flowery fragrance and colorful flowers (4). Due to the large amount of seed this tree produces, it is highly invasive in areas such as Florida where it spreads along highways and roads (4). Some cultivars of A. julibrissin, such as 'Rosea' have deeper pink flowers.
Cultivation Notes:
A. julibrissin bloom season is in the Summer, and it is generally planted in gardens or other agricultural sites such as parks as ornamentals and shade cover. The species may also act as a canopy, to do this the tree should be pruned so scaffold branches begin at about 8 feet from the ground. Although A. julibrissin is highly invasive due to the seed it produces, for proper germination to occur seeds generally need to be sacrificed (2). Because of this, seeds can stay dormant for very long periods, sometimes even years (4). This plant can also be propagated vegetatively by simply taking cuttings to re-sprout and regrow (2).
Ethnobotany:
As mentioned above, this species originated in China, where the Chinese would use the bark and flowers in many of their botanical and medicinal remedies. The flower and bark would help with anxiety, stress, and depression (5). A. julibrissin also has very fragrant flowers that have been used in aromatherapy and as ornamentals, because the species produces fragrant pink and white flowers, bees, as well as other insects and hummingbirds, are attracted to it (5).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
ForeSummer
Color:
Pink
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
