Silk Tree, Siris
Albizia julibrissin

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree which grows up to 12 m tall and spreads to 10 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The crown tends to be flat. The bark is dark brown and smooth. The leaves are twice divided. Each primary leaflet has 20-30 pairs of secondary leaflets. These are 1.5 cm long. The leaflets fold together at night. The flowers are in round pink heads. The stamens are long and silky. The fruit are seed pods. They are 15 cm long.

There are 145-150 Albizia species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. This one can become invasive. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to tropical plant. It grows naturally from Iran to China in open sunny ravines, forests and by rivers up to 2100 metres in the Himalayas. It needs a well drained but moist soil but can grow in dry soil. They can tolerate high pH, salty soils, drought and wind. Trees when dormant are hardy to -10°C or in continental climates - 20°C. Young growth is frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 6-12. It grows well in places with cool winters and hot summers. Arboretum Tasmania. in Yunnan. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caribbean, Central Asia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Europe, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, Russia, SE Asia, South America, Spain, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a potherb. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The dried leaves are used as a tea.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, leaves - tea, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or suckers. Seed need to be pre-soaked for 24 hours in hot water. They germinate in 2-3 months at 19°C. Plants can be transplanted. Plants can be pruned and shaped.

It is fast growing. Trees live for about 20 years.

Its other names

Local names

Hehuan, Ho huan, Hophoan, Nemu, Persian acacia, Pink siris, Seto siris, Shut happy, Vang-nyong

Synonyms

Acacia julibrissin (Durazz.) Willd.; Acacia nemu Willd.; Albizia nemu (Willd.) Benth.; Heuilleea julibrissin (Durazz.) Kuntze; Mimosa julibrissin (Durazz.) Scop.; Mimosa speciosa Thunb.; Sericandra julibrissin (Durazz.) Scop.; Acacia mollis Wallich; ? Albizia mollis (Wallich) Boivin; ?