Mimosa Tree

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:
  • Small to medium-sized shade tree, specimen plant (when in flower)
  • Not particular to soil type
  • Often short-lived or unattractive over time
  • Good for attracting butterflies