Common name: Chinese albizia, Silktree • Hindi: Siran, Kanujera, काला सिरिस Kala siris • Manipuri: Jairi • Marathi: laeli, udala, udul • Tamil: pila vagei, nirusil, silai-vagai • Malayalam: pottavaka, ponthanvaka • Telugu: Nalla regi, bandi chinduga, konda-chiragu • Kannada: hotte baage, kallu baage • Mizo: Vang • Oriya: vang, godalanjia • Khasi: Dieng phallut, Dieng phyneat • Sanskrit: bhandi, sairisam
Botanical name: Albizia chinensis Family: Mimosaceae (Touch-me-not family)
Chinese albizia is a large deciduous tree with broad flat-topped crown and
smooth grey bark. Leaves are double compound, like those of Gulmohar, but
the final leaflets are very numerous, 10 mm long. Flowers are yellowish
white, in clusters occuring either in the leaf axils or at the end of
branches. Long white numerous stamens make it look like a powder-puff
flower. Flower look thinner than those of Siris. Important browse tree in
hilly areas; also grown for shade on plantations and for the manurial
value of the fallen leaves. The branches are used for fodder at the end of
the growing season when the leaves are past their succulent stage. | Photographed in Imphal, Manipur. |
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