Albizia julibrissin
Albizia julibrissin | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
Genus: | Albizia |
Species: | A. julibrissin
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Binomial name | |
Albizia julibrissin | |
Synonyms | |
Many, see text |
Albizia julibrissin, the Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, or mimosa tree, is a
The genus is named after the Italian nobleman Filippo degli
Albizia julibrissin was described by Antonio Durazzini. John Gilbert Baker used the same scientific name to refer to Prain's Albizia kalkora, the Mimosa kalkora of William Roxburgh.
Names
Albizia julibrissin is known by a wide variety of common names, such as Persian silk tree and pink siris. It is also called
Its leaves slowly close during the night and during periods of rain, the leaflets bowing downward; thus its modern Persian name shabkhosb (شبخسب) means "night sleeper". This tendency also explains the Chinese common name hehuan, which means "shut happy" and symbolizes a happy couple in bed.[3] In Japan its common names are nemunoki, nemurinoki and nenenoki which all mean "sleeping tree". Nemu tree is a partial translation of nemunoki.
Description
The
There are two
- Albizia julibrissin var. julibrissin – the typical variety, described above
- Albizia julibrissin var. mollis – differs in the shoots being densely hairy
Habitat, cultivation and uses
Original habitats of the tree include regions from
A. julibrissin is widely planted as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, grown for its fine leaf texture, flowers and attractive horizontal canopy. Other positive attributes are a fast growth rate, low water requirements and the ability to thrive planted in full sun in hot summer climates.[5] It is frequently planted in semi-arid areas like California's Central Valley, central Texas and Oklahoma. Although capable of surviving drought, growth will be stunted and the tree tends to look sickly. As such it should be given infrequent, deep waterings during the summer, which will benefit growth and flowering.[5]
The broad crown of a mature tree makes it useful for providing dappled shade. The flower colour varies from white in A. julibrissin f. alba, to rich red-tipped flowers. Variants with cream or pale yellow flowers are also reported. Other cultivars are becoming available: 'Summer Chocolate' has red foliage ageing to dark bronze, with pale pink flowers; 'Ishii Weeping' (or 'Pendula') has a drooping growth habit.
A. julibrissin f. rosea
There is also a form, A. julibrissin f. rosea (pink silk tree) which has, in the past, been classed either as a variety or as a cultivar. This is a smaller tree, only growing to 5–7 metres (16–23 ft) tall, with the flowers always pink. Native to the northeast of the species' range in Korea and Northern China, it is more cold-tolerant than the typical form, surviving temperatures down to at least −25 °C (−13 °F). The selected cultivar A. julibrissin 'Ernest Wilson' (also known as 'E.H.Wilson' or 'Rosea') is a cold-tolerant tree with deep pink flower colour. In Japan, A. julibrissin f. rosea is often used for non-traditional bonsai. The name nemunoki* (ねむの木, Kanji: 合歓木) and its variants is a kigo representing the summer in haiku, especially a sleepy summer evening.[6]
A. julibrissin f. rosea has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit;[7] likewise the cultivar 'Summer Chocolate'.[8]
Other uses
Silk tree wood may be used to make furniture.[9] It is also reportedly psychoactive as well, with the flowers being used to make teas. In Chinese medicine it is considered an antidepressant.[10]
Invasive species
In the wild, the tree tends to grow in dry plains, sandy valleys, and uplands. It has become an invasive species in the United States, where it has spread from southern New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, west to Missouri and Illinois, and south to Florida and Texas. It is cultivated in California and Oregon.[citation needed] Its seeds are wind-dispersed and numerous, and they are fertile even over long periods of drought. Each pod, which resembles a flattened bean pod made of paper, holds about 8 seeds on average. The pod bursts in strong winds, and the seeds can carry over surprisingly long distances.
Breeding work is currently underway in the United States to produce ornamental plants which will not set seed and can be planted without risk.[citation needed] However, in the eastern United States it is generally a short-lived tree, being highly susceptible to mimosa vascular wilt,[11] a fungal disease caused by a species of Fusarium, though the disease does not seem to have seriously impacted its populations. Because of its invasive tendencies and disease susceptibility, it is rarely recommended as an ornamental plant in the United States, though it is still widely planted in parts of Europe.
References
- ^ "Plant of the Week". Gardens.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2013-02-08. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- ^ a b c "Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa, Persian Silk Tree, Pink Silk Tree, Silk Tree) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
- ^ a b Klingaman, Gerald (July 23, 2004). "Mimosa". University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Archived from the original on 2014-03-29. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ISBN 84-241-4668-9). Page 11
- ^ a b Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed. (2007). Sunset Western Garden Book. p. 178.
- ^ 合歓の花(ねむのはな) 晩夏 (in Japanese). kigosai.sub.jp. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector Albizia julibrissin f. rosea AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
- ^ "Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'". RHS. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Albizia julibrissin (silk tree)". CABI Invasive Species Compendium. November 20, 2019. Archived from the original on 2017-07-23. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- PMID 37265761.
- ^ Fusarium Wilt of Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Virginia Cooperative Extension