Albizia adianthifolia is a tree in the family Fabaceae. It is commonly known as the flat-crown. Its range extends from eastern South Africa to Tropical Africa.

Albizia adianthifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Caesalpinioideae
Clade:	Mimosoid clade
Genus:	Albizia
Species:	A. adianthifolia
Binomial name
Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W.F.Wight

Description

This is a large deciduous tree with a spreading, flat crown, growing to a height of 25 metres (82 ft).[1] A profusion of bright green leaves and heavily scented, fluffy flowers are produced in winter or spring.[2] The leaves are twice compound with the leaflets being 2–5 x 8 mm in size.[3] This tree favours sandy soils in warm, high rainfall areas. In South Africa it is found in coastal lowland forests.[4]

Cultivation

Albizia adianthifolia is cultivated as an ornamental tree. The attractive habit of these trees makes them a popular garden tree, often being retained as a native plant in suburban gardens when other indigenous vegetation is removed.[5] The trees usually produce abundant seeds which are easily grown in sandy soil.[6]

Ecological significance

Elephants browse the leaves of these trees and blue duiker favour the leaves and seedpods as food.[7] The larvae of the satyr charaxes butterfly (Charaxes ethalion) feed on the leaves of these trees.[8]

See also

• Southern African Sand Forest

Gallery

• 
  Trunk of Albizia adianthifolia
• 
  Branches and canopy
• 
  New foliage and flowers
• 
  Foliage and a green pod
• 
  Mature pods and leaves
• 
  An open pod with seeds

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albizia adiantifolia.