Albizia julibrissin

Albizia julibrissin is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae, native to southwestern and eastern Asia. Commonly known as the Persian silk tree or pink silk tree, it is often used in ornamental landscaping due to its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers.

Description

Albizia julibrissin is a small deciduous tree that grows to a height of 5–12 m. The bark is smooth and light grey, while the stems are slender and have a zigzag pattern. The leaves are bipinnate, 20–45 cm long and 12–25 cm broad, with 20–30 pairs of primary leaflets, each of which is further divided into 20–40 pairs of secondary leaflets. The flowers are produced in large clusters, each flower with numerous long pink stamens that give the whole cluster a silky appearance.

Distribution and habitat

The Persian silk tree is native to a broad area of Asia, from Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the west, through the southern part of the Russian Federation, to the Korean Peninsula and Japan in the east. It is also found in the Himalayas and in the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan in southwestern China. The tree is adaptable to a wide range of soils and climates, but prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Uses

Albizia julibrissin is widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens, where it is appreciated for its fern-like leaves and fluffy pink flowers. In addition to its ornamental value, the tree has a number of practical uses. The wood is used for making furniture, while the bark is used in traditional medicine for its sedative and analgesic properties.

Cultivation

The Persian silk tree is relatively easy to grow from seed, which should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. The tree can also be propagated from cuttings taken in late summer. It is a fast-growing species, but is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including the mimosa webworm and the fusarium wilt fungus.

Conservation status

While Albizia julibrissin is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction, it is listed as a potentially invasive species in several regions where it has been introduced, including the southeastern United States and parts of Europe.

See also

• List of Albizia species
• Invasive species

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