Potka siris tree
Albizia lucidior

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A fast growing, beautiful tree, native to the moist forests of North-East India

Albizia lucidior is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Evergreen and secondary forests, usually in more open, secondary formations and in thickets; at elevations from 600 - 1,900 metres.

E. Asia - China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Northerstern India, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: The tree has an open canopy, fixes atmospheric nitrogen and has soil improvement qualities. It is often left when the forest is cleared, especially to provide shade in tea plantations, and is sometimes also planted in such places. Other Uses: The heartwood is brown, with dark streaks and alternating dark and light coloured concentric bands; the sapwood is white. The wood is very hard and of good quality, but is not used in India. The wood is used for construction and making furniture. The wood can be used for fuel.

Soil conditioner: Plants grown to improve the structure of the soil. See also Green manures.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen: Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein: (16+ percent protein, 0-15 percent oil). Annuals include beans, chickpeas, lentils, cowpeas, and pigeon peas. Perennials include perennial beans, nuts, leaf protein concentrates, and edible milks.

Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen: Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein: (16+ percent protein, 0-15 percent oil). Annuals include beans, chickpeas, lentils, cowpeas, and pigeon peas. Perennials include perennial beans, nuts, leaf protein concentrates, and edible milks.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 34c, but can tolerate 6 - 42c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 2,400mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 5,000mm. Grows best in a sunny position, but tolerates light shade. Succeeds in most soils of moderate fertility. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5. The tree is a host of the lac insect (Laccifer lacca), the female of which secretes the resin 'lac' that was formerly used to make shellac. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagating it: Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Langit, Moz, Num-hpun-kap, Pohon sengon siris, Thanthat

Synonyms

Albizia gamblei Prain Albizia lucida (Roxb.) Benth. Albizia meyeri Ricker Inga lucidior Steud. Mimosa lucida Roxb.