Common Name:

General Information

Albizia retusa is a tree. There are two main forms - subspecies retusa grows up to 25 metres tall with a short, often crooked bole that is unbranched for only around 3 metres and can be 70cm in diameter[]. Subspecies morobei grows up to 39 metres tall with a straight bole that can be unbranched for up to 18 metres[].
The seeds have been used locally as beads. The wood has potential for use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, southern Japan, to New Guinea, Australia and the western Pacific.

Habitat

Ssp retusa is found by the coast on sandy beaches, mangrove; lowland rain forest subject to flooding; coral sand. Ssp morobei is found in rain forest, secondary regrowth on alluvial soils at elevations up to 810 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The seeds have been used as beads[].

The heartwood is dark brown; the sapwood yellowish brown. The wood is moderately hard and heavy[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.

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