Facts on the Mimosa Trree
The mimosa tree (scientific name Albizia julibrissin), also called the silk tree, is native to central China and eastern Iran. Its leaves are unusually feathery and delicate, folding on themselves and closing as the sun sets. Its flowers resemble brushes, further enhancing the charm of the delightful mimosa tree. The mimosa tree plays an important role in the lives of native Chinese, owing to its characteristic physical anomalies, medicinal importance and other vital functions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Introduction
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Mimosa is a deciduous, low-branching and fast-growing tree with lacy, delicate, fern-like foliage. It produces fluffy, silky and excessively fragrant pinkish-white cottony blooms in mid-spring to early summer—an awe-inspiring sight. Mimosa trees are short-lived, with their average lifespan limited between 10 and 20 years. The tree is valued as an ornamental patio and terrace plant.
Physical Information
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The mimosa tree grows to a maximum height of 15 feet (180 inches) to 25 feet (300 inches), spreading to 25 feet (300 inches) to 35 feet (420 inches). Its crown is irregular, vase-shaped and spreading; the bark of the tree is delicate and susceptible to damage from impact; and its leaves are pinnate, oblong and arranged alternately. The bark of the mimosa tree wilts with age, drooping as the tree matures.
Mimosa lumber is weak and breaks easily under mechanical pressure.
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Scientific Information
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The mimosa tree grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 6B to 9. It tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH values, including sandy, loamy and clay soils. The mimosa prefers well drained soils, is drought tolerant and grows best in full sun.
Numerous cultivars of the mimosa tree are known to exist, the most common of which include Rosea, Alba, Union, Tyron and Rubra.
Medicinal Uses
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According to Takeatsu Kimura in the book “Northeast Asia, Part 1,” the bark of the mimosa tree is processed and used in various folk medicines, for the treatment of insomnia, traumatic injury, sputum and coughing, sprains, lower back pain, articular pain and pruritus.
Its flowers are used in the treatment of conjunctivitis, chest distention, traumatic injuries and insomnia.
Problems
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According to Harrison Leigh Flint and Jenny M. Lyverse in the book “Landscape Plants for Eastern North America,” the mimosa tree is susceptible to the mimosa webworm—caterpillars that attack leaves and leaflets, injuring otherwise healthy foliage, causing it to turn brown and die. A mimosa webworm infestation, if not managed in a timely manner, can attack and damage an entire tree, defoliating it completely.
The mimosa tree is also susceptible to mimosa wilt and topkill.
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References
- Photo Credit mimosa image by laurent gehant from Fotolia.com
