Albizia adianthifolia
| Albizia adianthifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Albizia |
| Species: | A. adianthifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W.F.Wight
| |
Albizia adianthifolia is a tree in the family Fabaceae. It is commonly known as the flat-crown. Its range extends from eastern South Africa to Tropical Africa.
Description
This is a large deciduous tree with a spreading, flat crown, growing to a height of 25 metres (82 ft).[1] A profusion of bright green leaves and heavily scented, fluffy flowers are produced in winter or spring.[2] The leaves are twice compound with the leaflets being 2-5 x 8 mm in size.[3] This tree favours sandy soils in warm, high rainfall areas. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forests.[4]
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.[5] The trees usually produce abundant seeds which are easily grown in sandy soil.[6]
Ecological significance
Elephants browse the leaves of these trees and blue duiker favour the leaves and seedpods as food.[7] The larvae of the satyr charaxes butterfly (Charaxes ethalion) feed on the leaves of these trees.[8]
See also
Gallery
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Trunk of Albizia adianthifolia -
Branches and canopy -
New foliage and flowers -
Foliage and a green pod -
Mature pods and leaves -
An open pod with seeds
References
- ^ Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
- ^ Purves, M. (2010)
- ^ Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
- ^ Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
- ^ Purves, M. (2010)
- ^ Purves, M. (2010)
- ^ Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
- ^ Williams, M. (1994). Butterflies of Southern Africa: A Field Guide. ISBN 1-86812-516-5.