Acacia julibrissin

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• mimosa
• mimosa-tree
• pink siris
• silktree
• silktree albizia
• siris
• varay-cotton
• pink siris tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimosa julibrissin
• Acacia julibrissin
• Sericandra julibrissin
• Feuilleea julibrissin

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, placing it in the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Albizia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence can be observed in both Austria and Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean region, it is also found in Southwestern Europe within Spain. The distribution extends further east into Southeastern Europe, where it grows in Bulgaria. Finally, the species can be located in Southeastern Europe within Italy as well.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Albizia julibrissin is characterized by its adaptability to a wide variety of landscapes, primarily thriving in lowland habitats. This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution, occupying an elevational range that extends from as low as 100 m AMSL up to a maximum altitude of 2400 m AMSL. This expansive altitudinal tolerance allows it to colonize diverse environments across varying climatic gradients.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Albizia julibrissin is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its buds are located on aerial branches well above the ground, a structural trait common to its growth form. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally in response to environmental changes or colder temperatures. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and deciduous phenology defines its developmental strategy and survival patterns in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Albizia julibrissin is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can also exhibit shrub-like qualities. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The species is strictly terrestrial, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a minimum height of 3 meters, with a maximum height of 12 meters, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 8.37 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8.36666666666667 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Albizia julibrissin is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, engaging in a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, thereby enhancing its nutritional autonomy in various soil types. Regarding its structural composition, the plant exhibits a highly consistent stem specific density (SSD), with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 740 mg/cm³. This uniform density indicates a stable wood tissue structure, contributing to the plant's overall physical integrity and resource transport efficiency.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

740 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Albizia julibrissin is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and specialized pollination and dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in June and continues through September, though the timing can be variable. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Once fertilization is successful, the plant produces fruits that have an average length of 14 cm and an average width of 2.3 cm. The resulting seeds exhibit a range of masses, with a minimum of 0.0198 g, a maximum of 0.0425 g, and a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0388 g. For the distribution of its offspring, the species employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length mean:

14 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0425 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0387806666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0198 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Albizia julibrissin has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Archiv der Pharmazie

Stem

1. Carbohydrate research

Chemicals

Albizia julibrissin has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 3',4',7-Trihydroxyflavone, ARSENIC, Acacic Acid, Albizziin.

Flavonoids

1. Archiv der Pharmazie
2. International journal of molecular sciences

3',4',7-Trihydroxyflavone

1. Dr. Duke

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Acacic Acid

1. Dr. Duke

Albizziin

1. Dr. Duke

Be

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

CR

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CU

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Activities

Albizia julibrissin has 182 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Anxiolytic, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Anxiolytic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Albizia julibrissin has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, antidepressant, antiparasitic, anxiety, anxiolytic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations