Albizia lebbeck

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Albizia lebbeck

Description

Erect, branched, deciduous tree, 30 m high; Leaves: Stipules inconspicuous. Inflorescence consisting of 2 or more pedunculate corymbs in the distal leaf-axils or arranged in a short raceme at the end of branches, peduncle 10 cm, tomentose to sparsely puberulous, with corymbs composed of c. 15- 40 pedicellate dimorphic flowers. Stamens white to yellow at base, pale green or yellowish green towards the top, 15-30 mm, tube shorter than the corolla tube, 4-5 mm. Ovary sessile, 3-4 mm, glabrous. Seeds elliptic(-oblong) in outline, to 10 by 6-7 by 1-1.5 mm, areole c. 5 by 2 mm, pleurogram parallel to the margins, open towards hilum.

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: Jawa (Jawa); Lesser Sunda Is.; Sulawesi (Sulawesi), E Africa present, Pantropical present, tropical mainland Asia present
Probably native of tropical mainland Asia or E Africa, now pantropical and cultivated; throughout Malesia; naturalized in areas with a seasonal climate: Java, Celebes, Lesser Sunda Islands.

Uses

Planted as a shade tree because of the rather short trunk and wide crown. Bark pounded used for soap in Java; the bark contains tannins. Foliage used for fodder. Wood moderately hard, rather durable; it seasons well and is used for furniture and general construction.

Citation

Benth. 1986 – In: Fl. Thailand: 186
Benth. 1983: p. 46. – In: Fl. Nouv.-Caled. et Depend.: pl. 7
DC. 1825 – In: Prod.: 467
Verdc. 1979: Manual New Guin. Legum.: 185
Hassk. 1842 – In: Flora: 54
Nielsen 1981: p. 82. – In: Fl. Camb. Laos Vietnam: pl. 14: 9-15
Whitm. 1972 – In: Tree Fl. Malaya: 279
Wight & Arn. 1834 – In: Prod.: 275
Benth. 1985 – In: Opera Bot.: 30
Ho 1970 – In: Illus. Fl. S. Vietnam, ed. 2: 805
Backer & Bakh. f. 1963 – In: Fl. Java: 554
Nielsen 1979 – In: Adansonia: 220
Jacq. 1787 – In: Coll.: 47
Kosterm. 1980 – In: Revis. Handb. Fl. Ceyl.: 502
Miq. 1855 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 22
DC. 1825 – In: Prod.: 466