Albizia adianthifolia

Description

This is a large deciduous tree with a spreading, flat crown, growing to a height of 25 m. A profusion of bright green leaves and heavily scented, fluffy flowers are produced in winter or spring. The leaves are twice compound with the leaflets being 2–5 x 8 mm in size. This tree favours sandy soils in warm, high rainfall areas. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forests.

Cultivation

Albizia adianthifolia is cultivated as an ornamental tree. The attractive habit of these trees makes them a popular garden tree, often being retained as a native plant in suburban gardens when other indigenous vegetation is removed. The trees usually produce abundant seeds which are easily grown in sandy soil.

Ecological significance

Elephants browse the leaves of these trees and blue duiker favour the leaves and seedpods as food. The larvae of the satyr charaxes butterfly (Charaxes ethalion) feed on the leaves of these trees.

Gallery

Image:Albizia_adianthifolia_stem.JPG|Trunk of Albizia adianthifolia Image:Albizia_adianthifolia_canopy.JPG|Branches and canopy Image:Albizia_adianthifolia_new_foliage_14_06_2010.JPG|New foliage and flowers Image:Albizia_adianthifolia_green_pod.JPG|Foliage and a green pod Image:Albizia_adianthifolia_pods_14_06_2010.JPG|Mature pods and leaves Image:Albizia_adianthifolia_open_pod_14_06_2010.JPG|An open pod with seeds

References

References

1. Pooley, E. (1993). ''The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei''. {{ISBN. 0-620-17697-0.
2. Purves, M. (2010)
3. Williams, M. (1994). ''Butterflies of Southern Africa: A Field Guide''. {{ISBN. 1-86812-516-5.