Albizia lebbeck

Albizia lebbeck is a species of Albizia, a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to Indomalaya, New Guinea and Northern Australia and is widely cultivated and naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions. English common names for Albizia lebbeck include lebbeck, lebbek tree, flea tree, frywood, koko and woman's tongues tree. The latter name is a play on the sound the seeds make as they rattle inside the pods.

Description

Albizia lebbeck is a deciduous, perennial tree which can grow up to 30 m in height. The tree has a broad crown and straight, rough bark. Its leaves are bipinnate, with 2-5 pairs of pinnae, each pinna with 6-18 leaflets. The flowers are white, with numerous stamens, and are followed by flat, long and broad pods.

Uses

Albizia lebbeck has a variety of uses. Its wood is used for plywood, light construction, pulp, charcoal, and veneer. The wood is also used for fuel. The bark has been used in traditional medicine to treat boils, cough, to remove the placenta after childbirth, and as a tonic. The leaves are used for fodder and the flowers are a source of nectar for bees.

Cultivation

Albizia lebbeck is a fast-growing tree, tolerant of light frosts and drought. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be propagated by seeds, which have hard coats and should be scarified before sowing.

Ecology

Albizia lebbeck is a host plant for the larvae of the butterfly Hypolimnas misippus. In India, it is a host plant for the tachinid fly Ormia ochracea, which is a parasitoid of the pest species Helicoverpa armigera. The tree also has the ability to fix nitrogen, improving soil fertility.