Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.
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Authority
Isley, Duane. 1973. Leguminosae of the United States: I. Subfamily. Mimosoideae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 25 (1): 1-152.
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Family
Mimosaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Tree to 12 m with inevident pubescence. Leaves large; leafstalk with a large proximal gland on petiole and sometimes accessory glands between some pinnae; pinnae 2-4(-5) pairs; leaflets 3-10 pairs, oblong-elliptic, 2-4 cm, slightly to considerably asymmetric with displaced midvein, reticulate-nerved, glabrous or inconspicuously villous. Flowers in cream-colored umbellate heads 5-6 cm diam in terminal, corymbose racemes; pedicels and calyces densely villosulous; stamens to 3 cm. Legume subsessile, oblong, tapering at each end, laterally compressed, 15-25 cm long, 3-4 cm broad, persistent, ultimately dehiscent; margins wiry-expanded, splitting at dehiscence; valves membranous, somewhat lustrous, light brown, glabrous.
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Discussion
CN n= 13 (Patil, 1958), 2n = 26 (Tixier, 1965). This species is abundant in central and southern Florida, and its legumes persistent during the winter, render the leafless trees conspicuous. The range of variation of Old World A. lebbeck is considerably more than of ours, presumably derived from only a few introductions.
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Distribution
S Florida, Texas, and California. Cultivated yard tree; moderately escaped. June-July. Woman’s tongue tree. Probably native of warm Asia, widespread as an introduction in subtropics of both hemispheres.
Asia|