silk tree
Quick Summary
The term "silk tree" most commonly refers to Albizia julibrissin, a leguminous tree native to Asia and the Middle East. This fast-growing, ornamental tree can reach about 9 meters (30 feet) in height and is known for its attractive pink flowers with long, silky stamens. It has been naturalized in parts of the southeastern United States and is sometimes called a mimosa.12
It's important to distinguish this from the "silk floss tree" (Ceiba speciosa), a South American native in the mallow family. The silk floss tree grows up to 15 meters (50 feet) and has thorny trunks, palmately compound leaves, and large pink flowers. Its seeds produce a vegetable silk used in upholstery.3
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albiziaSilk tree, or powderpuff tree (Albizia julibrissin), native to Asia and the Middle East, grows to about 9 metres (30 feet) tall, has a broad spreading crown, and bears flat pods about 12 cm (5 inches) long. Indian albizia, or siris (A. lebbek), native to…
Read MoreSilk tree, or powderpuff tree (Albizia julibrissin), native to Asia and the Middle East, grows to about 9 metres (30 feet) tall, has a broad spreading crown, and bears flat pods about 12 cm (5 inches) long. Indian albizia, or siris (A. lebbek), native to…
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FabalesMimoseaeAlbizia julibrissin (mimosa, or silk, tree), a widely planted ornamental in the southern United States, folds its leaves together at dusk, decreasing by at least half the amount of leaf surface exposed to the atmosphere. The movement is caused by changes in water pressure in…
Read MoreAlbizia julibrissin (mimosa, or silk, tree), a widely planted ornamental in the southern United States, folds its leaves together at dusk, decreasing by at least half the amount of leaf surface exposed to the atmosphere. The movement is caused by changes in water pressure in…
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