Siris tree, East Indian walnut
Albizia lebbeck

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 18-30 m tall. The trunk can be 1 m across. The leaves are twice divided. They are 8-15 cm long with 4 pairs of pinnae and each one has 6-18 leaflets. The flowers are white. The flowers have several long stamens 3-4 cm long and they have a sweet smell. The fruit is a pod 15-30 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. There are 6 to 12 seeds.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It does not occur on atolls. It is highly salt tolerant. In Townsville Queens BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia (country/location of origin), Australia, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bhutan, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Grenada, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies, Yap

How it is used for food

The young leaf tips are cooked and eaten. They are boiled. They have little taste.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, shoots, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate best if put in hot water first. Trees can also be grown from stem or root cuttings. It should be in a sunny location. Trees can be cut back and will re-grow.

Its other names

Local names

Anya-koko, Benoare, Boket tay, Boanoara, Bonara, Bonoara, Chiali, Chres, Hophoan, Kalakaskas, Kalo siris, Kokko, Lbakh, Lebbeck, Lebbek, Mai-kokko, Mtangatanga, Pruek, Tama-kai, Tarisi, Thing-chawke, Uktiuk, Zo-fek

Synonyms

Acacia lebbeck (L.) Willd.; Acacia macrophylla Bunge; Acacia speciosa (Jacq.) Willd.; Albizia lebbek (L.) Benth.; Feuilleea lebbeck (L.) Kuntze; Inga borbonica Hassk.; Inga leucoxylon Hassk.; Mimosa lebbeck L.; Mimosa lebbek Forssk.;