Albizia adianthifolia

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Albizia adianthifolia
Albizia adiantifolia 12102003 Afrique du sud.JPG
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Clade: Mimosoideae
Genus: Albizia
Species:
A. adianthifolia
Binomial name
Albizia adianthifolia
(Schumach.) W.F.Wight

Albizia adianthifolia is a tree in the family Fabaceae. It is commonly known as the flat-crown. Its range extends from eastern South Africa to Tropical Africa.

Contents

Description

This is a large deciduous tree with a spreading, flat crown, growing to a height of 25 metres (82 ft). [1] A profusion of bright green leaves and heavily scented, fluffy flowers are produced in winter or spring. [2] The leaves are twice compound with the leaflets being 2–5 x 8 mm in size. [3] This tree favours sandy soils in warm, high rainfall areas. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forests. [4]

Cultivation

Albizia adianthifolia is cultivated as an ornamental tree. The attractive habit of these trees makes them a popular garden tree, often being retained as a native plant in suburban gardens when other indigenous vegetation is removed. [5] The trees usually produce abundant seeds which are easily grown in sandy soil. [6]

Ecological significance

Elephants browse the leaves of these trees and blue duiker favour the leaves and seedpods as food. [7] The larvae of the satyr charaxes butterfly ( Charaxes ethalion ) feed on the leaves of these trees. [8]

See also

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References

  1. Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN   0-620-17697-0.
  2. Purves, M. (2010)
  3. Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN   0-620-17697-0.
  4. Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN   0-620-17697-0.
  5. Purves, M. (2010)
  6. Purves, M. (2010)
  7. Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN   0-620-17697-0.
  8. Williams, M. (1994). Butterflies of Southern Africa: A Field Guide. ISBN   1-86812-516-5.