Albizia julibrissin

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Albizia julibrissin
2018-07-08 11 10 27 Rosea Mimosa blossoms along the ramp from southbound Interstate 95 (New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur) to westbound Interstate 280 (Essex Freeway) in the New Jersey Meadowlands, within Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Albizia
Species:
A. julibrissin
Binomial name
Albizia julibrissin
Durazz., 1772 non sensu Baker, 1876
Synonyms

Many, see text

Albizia julibrissin, the Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, or mimosa tree, is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae, native to southwestern Asia and eastern Asia. [1]

Contents

The genus is named after the Italian nobleman Filippo degli Albizzi, who introduced it to Europe in the mid-18th century. [2] It is sometimes incorrectly spelled Albizzia. The specific epithet julibrissin is a corruption of the Persian word gul-i abrisham (گل ابریشم), which means "silk flower" (from gulگل "flower" + abrishamابریشم "silk"). [2]

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 Lankaran acacia or bastard tamarind, though it is not too closely related to either genus. The species is called Chinese silk tree, silk tree or mimosa in the United States, which is misleading—the former can refer to any species of Albizia which is most common in any one locale; and, although once included in Mimosa , neither is it very close to the Mimoseae. To add to the confusion, several species of Acacia , notably Acacia baileyana and Acacia dealbata , are also known as "mimosa" (especially in floristry), and many Fabaceae trees with highly divided leaves are called thus in horticulture.

Sleeping tree by day and night Jungpflanze des Seidenbaums (Schlafbaum).png
Sleeping tree by day and night

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

Cinnyris cupreus and flower Copper sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus cupreus) female on Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin).jpg
Cinnyris cupreus and flower
albizia julibrissin flower Albizia julibrissin flower.jpg
albizia julibrissin flower

Albizia julibrissin is a small deciduous tree with a broad crown of level or arching branches, growing to 5–16 m (16–52 ft) tall. [3] Its bark is dark greenish grey, becoming vertically striped with age. Its leaves are large and frond-like: They are bipinnate, divided into 6–12 pairs of pinnae, each with 20–30 pairs of leaflets. Individual leaflets are oblong, 1–1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) broad. The true leaves are 20–45 cm (8–18 in) long and 12–25 cm (5–10 in) broad.

Flowers, parts A.jul-flor-9-en.jpg
Flowers, parts
Eurema blanda laying eggs on A. julibrissin Eurema blanda laying eggs by kadavoor.JPG
Eurema blanda laying eggs on A. julibrissin

The flowers bloom throughout the summer in dense inflorescences, which resemble starbursts of pink silky threads. The true flowers have small calyx and corolla (except the central ones), with a tight cluster of prominent stamens, 2–3 cm long and white or pink with a white base. They have been observed to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. [2] Its fruit is a flat brown pod 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long and 2–2.5 cm (0.8–1.0 in) broad, containing several seeds inside.

There are two varieties:

Habitat, cultivation and uses

Original habitats of the tree include regions from Iran (Persia) and the Republic of Azerbaijan to China and Korea. [4]

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

Distribution of A. julibrissin in the United States Silktreemap.PNG
Distribution of A. julibrissin in the United States

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.

Related Research Articles

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Mimosa is a genus of about 600 species of herbs and shrubs, in the mimosoid clade of the legume family Fabaceae. Species are native to the Americas, from North Dakota to northern Argentina, and to eastern Africa as well as the Indian subcontinent and Indochina. The generic name is derived from the Greek word μῖμος (mimos), an "actor" or "mime", and the feminine suffix -osa, "resembling", suggesting its 'sensitive leaves' which seem to 'mimic conscious life'.

<i>Robinia pseudoacacia</i> Species of tree native to North America

Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known in its native territory as black locust, is a medium-sized hardwood deciduous tree, belonging to the tribe Robinieae of the legume family Fabaceae. It is native to a few small areas of the United States, but it has been widely planted and naturalized elsewhere in temperate North America, Europe, Southern Africa and Asia and is considered an invasive species in some areas, such as the temperate east coast of Australia where the cultivar 'Frisia'(Golden Robinia) was widely planted as a street tree before being classed as a weed. Another common name is false acacia, a literal translation of the specific name.

<i>Albizia</i> Genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae

Albizia is a genus of more than 160 species of mostly fast-growing subtropical and tropical trees and shrubs in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae. The genus is pantropical, occurring in Asia, Africa, Madagascar, America and Australia, but mostly in the Old World tropics. In some locations, some species are considered weeds.

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<i>Koelreuteria paniculata</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Impatiens walleriana</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Wisteria floribunda</i> Species of legume

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<i>Parrotia persica</i> Species of deciduous tree in the family Hamamelidaceae

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<i>Wisteria sinensis</i> Variety of legume

Wisteria sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese wisteria, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, native to China, in the provinces of Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Yunnan. Growing 20–30 m (66–98 ft) tall, it is a deciduous vine. It is widely cultivated in temperate regions for its twisting stems and masses of scented flowers in hanging racemes, in spring.

<i>Acer griseum</i> Species of maple

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<i>Crataegus laevigata</i> Species of plant

Crataegus laevigata, known as the Midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn, or mayflower, is a species of hawthorn native to western and central Europe, from Great Britain and Spain east to the Czech Republic and Hungary. It is also present in North Africa. The species name is sometimes spelt C. levigata, but the original orthography is C. lævigata.

<i>Cladrastis kentukea</i> Species of legume

Cladrastis kentukea, the Kentucky yellowwood or American yellowwood, is a species of Cladrastis native to the Southeastern United States, with a restricted range from western North Carolina west to eastern Oklahoma, and from southern Missouri and Indiana south to central Alabama. The tree is sometimes also called Virgilia.

<i>Cleome houtteana</i> Species of flowering plant

Cleome houtteana, commonly known as spider flower, spider plant, pink queen, or grandfather's whiskers, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cleome of the family Cleomaceae, native to southern South America in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southeast Brazil. It has also been introduced to South Asia, including the Haor area of Bangladesh and India.

<i>Acacia dealbata</i> Species of flowering plant

Acacia dealbata, the silver wattle, blue wattle or mimosa, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae, native to southeastern Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory, and widely introduced in Mediterranean, warm temperate, and highland tropical landscapes.

<i>Oxypetalum coeruleum</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxypetalum coeruleum is a species of flowering plant, native to South America from southern Brazil to Uruguay. The synonymous name Tweedia caerulea is also used. Growing to 100 cm (39 in) long, it is a straggling evergreen perennial with heart shaped, gray-green, downy leaves. It is grown for its clear pale blue, star-shaped flowers, which are long lasting and cut well. The summer flowers age to purple and are followed by 30 cm (12 in) long, boat-shaped seed pods. The seeds have downy parachute-like tufts (cypsela).

<i>Albizia lebbeck</i> Species of legume

Albizia lebbeck is a species of plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar. It is widely cultivated and naturalised in other tropical and subtropical regions, including Australia. Common names in English include siris, Indian siris, East Indian walnut, Broome raintree, lebbeck, lebbek tree, frywood, koko and woman's tongue tree. The latter name is a play on the sound the seeds make as they rattle inside the pods. Siris is also a common name of the genus Albizia.

<i>Viburnum plicatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae

Viburnum plicatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae, native to mainland China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The Latin specific epithet plicatum means “pleated”, referring to the texture of the leaves.

<i>Rodgersia pinnata</i> Species of flowering plant

Rodgersia pinnata is a species of flowering plant in the family Saxifragaceae, native to the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China. It is a robust, herbaceous perennial growing to 120 cm (47 in) tall by 75 cm (30 in) broad, with textured palmate/pinnate leaves up to 90 cm (35 in) long, with 5-9 leaflets. 60 cm (24 in) erect panicles made up of tiny, star-shaped flowers, are borne on reddish green stems in summer. The flowers are white.

References

  1. ↑ "Plant of the Week". Gardens.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2013-02-08. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  2. 1 2 3 "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.
  3. 1 2 Klingaman, Gerald (July 23, 2004). "Mimosa". University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Archived from the original on 2014-03-29. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  4. ↑ Juan-Alberto Rodriguez Pérez, Flore exotique dans les îles Canaries, Leon, Espagne, Editorial Everest, 1990. ISBN   84-241-4668-9). Page 11
  5. 1 2 Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed. (2007). Sunset Western Garden Book. p. 178.
  6. ↑ 合歓の花（ねむのはな） 晩夏 (in Japanese). kigosai.sub.jp. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
  7. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector Albizia julibrissin f. rosea AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'". RHS. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  9. ↑ "Albizia julibrissin (silk tree)". CABI Invasive Species Compendium. November 20, 2019. Archived from the original on 2017-07-23. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  10. ↑ Huang, Bishan; Wu, Yingyao; Li, Chan; Tang, Qingfa; Zhang, Yuanwei (2023). "Molecular basis and mechanism of action of Albizia julibrissin in depression treatment and clinical application of its formulae". Chinese Herbal Medicines. Elsevier BV. 15 (2): 201–213. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2022.10.004. ISSN   1674-6384. PMC   10230641 .
  11. ↑ Fusarium Wilt of Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Virginia Cooperative Extension
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