Mimosa, Silktree, Mimosa Tree,

Albizia julibrissin

Basic Information

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

Genus: albizia

Plant ID (slug): albizia-julibrissin

Numeric ID: 22995

USDA Hardiness: 6-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Albizia julibrissin is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

W. Asia and E. Asia - Iran to China.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Sunny Edge; South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Edible Uses: Gum Tea Young leaves - cooked. An aromatic flavour[2, 106, 178, 179], they are used as a potherb[183]. Flowers - cooked. Eaten as a vegetable[183]. The dried leaves are a tea substitute[177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Anthelmintic Carminative Digestive Diuretic Oxytoxic Plaster Plaster Sedative Stimulant Tonic Vulnerary The flower heads are carminative, digestive, sedative and tonic[176, 218, 238]. They are used internally in the treatment of insomnia, irritability, breathlessness and poor memory[176, 238]. The flowers are harvested as they open and are dried for later use[238]. The stembark is anodyne, anthelmintic, carminative, discutient, diuretic, oxytocic, sedative, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary[176, 178, 218]. It is used internally in the treatment of insomnia, irritability, boils and carbuncles[238]. Externally, it is applied to injuries and swellings[238]. The bark is harvested in spring or late summer and is dried for later use[238]. A gummy extract obtained from the plant is used as a plaster for abscesses, boils etc and also as a retentive in fractures and sprains[218].