Mimosa Tree

Albizia julibrissin

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

▲▼ mature, flowering trees

▲▼ flowers

▲▼ flowers

▲ leaves

Location near campus:  several coming up by homes south and east of campus

Albizia julibrissin: Mimosa or Silk Tree

· leaves alternate, deciduous, bipinnately compound with tiny leaflets; dark green and glabrous

· stems slender, greenish when young, gray-brown with age and many lenticels

· bark is smooth, gray brown

· grows 20-35' tall and equal or greater spread; often multi-trunked due to die back from cold or disease; open, rounded to flat-topped canopy

· flowers bright pink in axillary clusters in late spring to late summer; fruit is a pod

· prefers full sun; very soil adaptable

· prone to disease which causes trunk rot and die back; often short-lived

· fast growth rate

· Landscape uses of Mimosa:

o Small to medium-sized shade tree, specimen plant (when in flower)

o Not particular to soil type

o Often short-lived or unattractive over time

o Good for attracting butterflies