The tree is beautiful. It’s quick growing and I find the seed pods very interesting. Have the kids pick them up if they fall in the yar...Read Mored, it’ll give them something to do. For everyone whining about it being an invasive species, check what other plants are included on that list. In my area at least we are discouraged to plant a few of our favorite palm trees. The queen palm, Areca palm, and fishtail palm are all considered invasive but everyone uses them in their landscapes. Stop being so negative.
Naturalized in California, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. According to the USDA, this damages natural areas in Florida and Hawa...Read Moreii, at least.
Those who wish to use a plant for medicinal purposes always have the option of importing an extract from places where it can be grown without harm. There is no need to sacrifice our public lands to cater to the needs of a few.
To all of you whining about this being an invasive species and saying things like "PEOPLE, EDUCATE YOURSELVES," I have this to say: "PEO...Read MorePLE, EDUCATE YOURSELVES."
This is an AMAZING medicinal plant. The fact that it is invasive means there is that much more of it to use. It has been used in India for generations as a wound healer, among other things (the root), and here is a link to one of several studies on the subject, for those of you who love plants but are pretty much useless in regards to actual information of how we should be using them: [[email protected]]
I was hopeful when I acquired these seeds they were of the Royal Poinsettia, but as it turns out it's this variety of a Mimosa on steroid...Read Mores. I felt fortunate in my ability to get so many to germinate having scoffed the seeds prior. I planted 8 of them last spring and was amazed at the growth in one growing season. Some a mere 8' and others upward of 14 feet. I am just now learning these are considered invasives. I live in South Louisiana and was looking for a tree that was fast growing (this one is) that would provide shade very quickly (I'm in my 50's) and wanted to be able to enjoy some while I was healthy and could still get about . These trees apparently will provide what I am looking for. My concern, will generations to come regret my decision? I did notice that Louisiana is not mentioned as a place where this variety grows.
Port Charlotte, FL (Zone 10b) | January 2012 | negative
I know folks like this tree cause its pretty, etc. BUT please folks I work for DEP eradicating exotic plants from our state and it is co...Read Morestly and deadly for animals and plants that belong here.
there are so many natives to use, educate yourself!!!!
go to your local University extension or go to local library most have a master gardener there once to twice a month. Go to Florida Natives website, lots of them out there.
Also plant for butterflies adn Monarachs too
Sorry about being NEGATIVE, but positive comments re Albizia lebbeck and other pest plants always bug me. Overcoming the prettiness of s...Read Moreo many our pest plants is tricky, but knowing there are so many wonderful alternatives helps. Thankfully previous commenters already pointed this out, as well as A. lebbeck's Cat I FL EPPC listing. One other important thing.....You might want to acknowledge this tree has a high potential to get ahold of your property (or your neighbors' land or the conservation area nearby!) causing the need to get rid of it. Then you need to know that can be difficult -- annoying at the least -- because it is a big, strong legume, with a robust tap root and a resistence to commonly used herbicide. Best? Just don't plant A. lebbeck, please, and if there's one nearby, watch for its possible move to your property and pull that badboy. [btw If you are getting rid of a large one, the wood is beautiful, and highly prized by woodworkers. A. lebbeck, native to tropical southern Asia, is still used in some cultures for multiple medicinal purposes.]
Woman's Tongue or Siris Tree (Albizia lebbeck) is a Category One Invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC). It is very i...Read Morenvasive in many natural and disturbed areas in central and southern Florida, the Keys, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and many of the Pacific Islands (zones 9a through 11). It is listed by the PIER (Pacific Islands Ecosystems At Risk) project as a species that has the possibilty to do serious potential harm to native plant species and island ecosystems.
The small to medium, yellowish, numerous seedpods reseed everywhere and abundantly, and the seeds are dispersed by birds to areas where they sprout, quickly grow into a large tree (can grow up to 30 or 40 feet high and possibly more) and quickly crowd out native plant species. Other wildlife may also spread the seeds.
In central and southern Florida and the Keys (as well as throughout the Tropics) Woman's Tongue was once popular as an ornamental landscape or shade tree. However, it is less oftenly planted today because of it's invasiveness. In Florida, they have spread into natural areas ever since they were introduced as a landscape tree, probably somewhere in the late 1800s or in the 1900s. They invade many types of habitats, including areas already invaded by other exotic invasive species in central and southern Florida (e.g., Australian Pines, Brazilian Pepper, Boston Fern, Snake Plant, Carrotwood, Melaleuca, Castor Bean, Brazilian Jasmine, Arabian Jasmine, Madagascar Periwinkle, Queen Palm, Areca Palm, Senegal Date Palm, Old World Climbing Fern, etc.), disturbed sites such as vacant lots, canal banks and canal sides, pinelands, coastal habitats (near the ocean but not with direct salt exposure), keys, wetland edges (including on the outer edges of the Everglades and other wetlands and marshes), somewhat swampy sites, scrub habitats, and many other habitats. It appears similar to a locust tree or other related species in appearance (such as tamarinds). It spreads very easily and grows quickly. It thrives in zones 9a through 11 and survives temperatures as low as around 15 degrees.
It SHOULD NOT BE PLANTED IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA OR OTHER AREAS WHERE IT CAN BECOME INVASIVE!
Florida Distribution of Albizia lebbeck by county:
Brevard
Indian River
St. Lucie
Martin
Palm Beach
Broward
Miami-Dade
Monroe (mainland and the Keys)
Collier
Lee
Charlotte
Sarasota
Manatee
Hillsborough
Pinellas
Polk
Alachua
Now in Orlando, FL (Zone 9b) | December 2004 | negative
Easy to mistake this for a locust tree or a number of other species. There are a million and a half better alternatives for this area. Be...Read Morefore I knew what it was I planted a seed in a cup and 2 days later there was a 3" seedling in the cup. Yikes! Can you say Little shop of horrors! Class I invasive fleepc dot org
This is a Category I invasive pest in central and south Florida according to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. It has trashy seed p...Read Moreods that hang on the tree after flowering, and it reseeds everywhere.
The closest tree is 500 meters away from me, but when it blooms I can sense the sweet smell that comes from the flowers like it was plant...Read Moreed right here next to my window.
This tree is considered invasive here in Florida but the blooms are beautiful and this tree does provide a good amount of shade. Do not ...Read Moreplant near anything the flowers can fall on as they are messy and can stain the paint on an automobile. Its roots are shallow and will destroy a walkway, driveway, etc. if planted too close. Wildlife love the seed pods.
The tree is beautiful. It’s quick growing and I find the seed pods very interesting. Have the kids pick them up if they fall in the yar...Read More
Naturalized in California, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. According to the USDA, this damages natural areas in Florida and Hawa...Read More
To all of you whining about this being an invasive species and saying things like "PEOPLE, EDUCATE YOURSELVES," I have this to say: "PEO...Read More
I was hopeful when I acquired these seeds they were of the Royal Poinsettia, but as it turns out it's this variety of a Mimosa on steroid...Read More
I know folks like this tree cause its pretty, etc. BUT please folks I work for DEP eradicating exotic plants from our state and it is co...Read More
Sorry about being NEGATIVE, but positive comments re Albizia lebbeck and other pest plants always bug me. Overcoming the prettiness of s...Read More
Woman's Tongue or Siris Tree (Albizia lebbeck) is a Category One Invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC). It is very i...Read More
Easy to mistake this for a locust tree or a number of other species. There are a million and a half better alternatives for this area. Be...Read More
Also grows in the Bahamas.
This is a Category I invasive pest in central and south Florida according to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. It has trashy seed p...Read More
The closest tree is 500 meters away from me, but when it blooms I can sense the sweet smell that comes from the flowers like it was plant...Read More
This tree is considered invasive here in Florida but the blooms are beautiful and this tree does provide a good amount of shade. Do not ...Read More