Persian Silk Tree Albizia julibrissin
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acacia julibrissin
- Feuilleea julibrissin
- Mimosa julibrissin
- Sericandra julibrissin
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-BIZZ-ee-ah joo-lee-BRIS-sin
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Silk Tree or mimosa is a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family and is a native of Asia that was introduced in the United States in 1745. It was cultivated as an ornamental tree due to its fragrant and showy flowers. This tree is now invasive in North Carolina and other parts of the Southeastern United States. The genus name, Albizia, honors Filippo degli Albizzia, an Italian naturalist, who introduced the Silk Tree to Tuscany, Italy. The species name, Julibrissin, comes from the Persian word "gul-i brisham" which means silk flower.
The Silk Tree is a fast-growing, short-lived, small to medium size deciduous tree. It typically is found along roadsides, grasslands, vacant lots, clearings, or flood plain areas. The tree has a broad crown and may have single or multiple trunks. Its height typically ranges from 10-50 feet and its spread is 20-50 feet. In 2006 a Silk Tree was found that measured 64 feet high and had a width spread of 80.4 feet.
The tree tolerates summer heat, and its flowers prefer full sun. The limbs of the tree are weak and may be damaged by strong winds, snow, and ice. It is a short-lived tree with an average life span is 30 years. The leaves are fern-like in appearance and are very sensitive. The leaflets will close when touched and at nighttime. It blooms from May to July. The fragrant flowers appear to be pompom-like clusters of silky pink threads and measure about 1.5 inches long. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to this flowering tree. The fruits are flattened legumes and contain 5 to 16 seeds. The fruits first appear in June and typically mature from August to September. The seeds are easily dispersed by the wind, water, or by animals. The seeds contain a neurotoxin that when ingested can be toxic to livestock and dogs.
The Silk Tree will take advantage of disturbed land areas. It grows vigorously and can displace native trees and shrubs. It produces a large number of seeds and it will resprout when cut back or damaged. It is a strong competitor for native species in open areas, along roadsides and forest edges due to its ability to grow in different soil types and its large production of seeds. When planted near homes, it requires significant clean up from shedding of their leaves, blooms, and seed pods. The tree can tolerate a variety of soils and moisture conditions because its roots have the ability to produce nitrogen. Mimosa can grow in dense stands which reduces sunlight and nutrients that preferred species require. It can also become a problem along banks of waterways, where its seeds are easily transported in water. Due to its invasive nature, the planting of the Silk Tree should be limited. There are many other native, non-invasive trees that would be much better alternatives. If you choose this tree, look for a superior cultivar and plant it in a container.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: The Silk Tree is susceptible to Mimosa webworms, mites, Vascular Wilt Disease, Shot Hole Borer, Armillaria Fungus, Root Rot, and a cottony cushion scale. Wilt may also occur which is caused by a soil-born fungus that affects the root system and will eventually cause the tree to die. The tree is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. See native alternatives to the left.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Boubri'
- 'Flame'
- 'Ishii Weeping'
- 'Merlot Majik'
- 'Rosea'
Hardy and compact. - 'Summer Chocolate'
deep burgundy mature foliage and brighter pink and white flowers
- 'Boubri'
- 'Boubri', 'Flame', 'Ishii Weeping', 'Merlot Majik', 'Rosea', 'Summer Chocolate'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Boubri'
- 'Flame'
- 'Ishii Weeping'
- 'Merlot Majik'
- 'Rosea'
Hardy and compact. - 'Summer Chocolate'
deep burgundy mature foliage and brighter pink and white flowers
- 'Boubri'
- 'Boubri', 'Flame', 'Ishii Weeping', 'Merlot Majik', 'Rosea', 'Summer Chocolate'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Albizia
- Species:
- julibrissin
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The Chinese have used the bark and flowers of the Mimosa tree for centuries to relieve anxiety, stress and depression.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Iran, India, China, and Japan
- Distribution:
- Argentina, Cyprus, East Aegean Island, India, Iraq, Peru, Turkey, Ukraine, temperate zones in the western and southeastern United States.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds, bees, songbirds, and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Spreading
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are brown flat elongated pods measuring 4 to 8 inches and about 1 inch wide. Each pod contains about 5 to 10 light brown oval-shaped seeds measuring 0.5 inches in diameter. The fruits first appear in June and mature by August to November. The seeds are typically dispersed from September to November. Pods may remain on the tree through the winter months. The fruit does not attract wildlife.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The Silk Tree flowers bloom from May to July. They are fragrant, which makes them attractive to bees. The flower is pink and has pom-pom like clusters of 15 to 25 small silk threads. The flower measures about 1.5 inches long. The mimosa bloom is monoecious (has both male and female parts) and looks like a pink fluffy powder puff. Each flower cluster grows at the base of the current year's twigs.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Soft
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are medium green in color and appear on a long slender stem that measures 10 to 20 inches long. Each stem is lined with pinnae which appears opposite of each other. There may be 4 to 6 pairs of pinnae, but as the tree grows this can increase to 20 to 30 pairs. The individual pinnae vary from 2-4 inches long. Each pinna is lined with 10-20 leaflets and each leaflet is 3/8 inches long. The leaves are fern-like and give the tree the appearance of being light and feathery. When it rains and during the night the leaves close downward. In the fall the leaves do not change color, and they typically fall to the ground after the first frost.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is light brown to gray and smooth. The wood is weak and brittle. The bark of young stems are bright green turning light brown and covered with lenticels as they age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Scaly
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in 2 scales
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The young stems are lime green in color and later change to light brown. They are covered with lenticels. The wood is weak and brittle.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Wind
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Messy
- Problem for Dogs
- Short-lived
- Weak Wood
- Weedy