SafePlants

Albizia Species: A Botanical Overview

This page provides information on several species within the genus Albizia, including their characteristics, distribution, and potential interactions with the environment.

Considerations for Pets

• Genus Albizia can be deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers.
• Albizia julibrissin has flat seed pods that persist into the fall.

Considerations for Children

• Genus Albizia can be deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers.
• Albizia julibrissin has flat seed pods that persist into the fall.

Scientific Names and Common Names

• Albizia julibrissin: Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, mimosa
• Albizia saponaria: Whiteflower Albizia
• Albizia kalkora: Kalkora mimosa

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae)
• The genus Albizia is named after Filippo del Albizzi, a Florentine nobleman.
• Synonyms and related names:
  • Mimosa kalkora (William Roxburgh)
  • Mimosa procera (Roxburgh)
  • Adenanthera falcataria
  • Albizia falcata
  • A. falcataria
  • A. moluccana

Distribution and Habitat

• Albizia julibrissin is native to southwestern and eastern Asia.
• Albizia chinensis occurs in specific provinces (unspecified in this text).
• Albizia saman is found in unspecified regions.
• Albizia anthelmintica is found in specific regions (unspecified in this text, but associated with "Wormbark Falsethorn").
• Albizia saponaria can be found in the U.S.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Albizia julibrissin is a deciduous tree growing up to 12 meters (39 feet) tall and 10 meters (32 feet) wide. It grows quickly.
• Genus Albizia includes deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers.
• They have bipinnate leaves with tiny leaflets.
• Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' has burgundy-colored foliage.
• Albizia saman can attain a height of 60 m.

Floral Characteristics

• Albizia species have flowerheads composed of many small flowers.
• Flowers can be cream, yellowish-white, pink, or reddish-white.
• The flowers have numerous long stamens.
• Albizia julibrissin has greenish white flowers.
• Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' has fuzzy pinkish and white flowers.
• Albizia saponaria (Whiteflower Albizia) has fragrant, silky, white puffy pompom blooms.
• Albizia lebbeck var. pubescens has filaments numerous, 1.5 - 3 cm long, fused at the base, predominantly white to cream in color, tipped with unspecified color.

Ecological Role

• Albizia julibrissin is listed by the IFAS Invasive Plant Working Group as invasive in some areas.
• Albizia is nitrogen-fixing, which can be detrimental in certain environments.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The Zebra White (Pinacopteryx eriphia subsp. eriphia) visits flowers of Albizia.

Quirky Facts

• The flowers and bark of the mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) are among the most (unspecified information follows this incomplete sentence).
• There is mention of incorporating albizia julibrissin flowers into one's diet.

Further Information

• National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA
• Garden Guides