This medium-large sized tree from Asia is naturalized in a small area on and near the Duke University campus in Durham, North Carolina.

Durham, NC 9/11/08.

Similar to the much more common A. julibrissin (Silktree Mimosa), but larger (60+ feet tall), with larger leaflets, with fewer pairs of branchlets on the rachis (~6 vs. ~12), and rough bark.

Durham, NC 9/11/08.

The powderpuff flower clusters are similar to those of A. julibrissin, but paler, usually more creamy than pink.

The genus Albizia is frequently misspelled Albizzia.

The leaflets are much larger and fewer in number than those of A. julibrissin.

Albizia lebbeck is a similar species that is naturalized in subtropical and tropical areas of the US, but has even larger, fewer leaflets, yellowish flowers, broader pods, smoother bark, and is not cold-hardy.

Leaf comparison of A. kalkora (coarse yellow green leaflets on top) and A. julibrissin (the fine dark green leaflets).

In 2006, Mel Turner discovered that apparent hybrids of Albizia julibrissin x kalkora are frequent along Towerview and Circuit Drives at Duke. Indeed, the majority of trees in the area seem to be intermediate between the two species. The top two photos on this page possibly are this hybrid backcrossed with A. kalkora.

The bark is rough, quite unlike the smooth bark of A. julibrissin.

Comparison of the bark of Albizia julibrissin (in front) and A. kalkora.

Bark of a small tree (same tree as top photo).

Durham, NC 9/11/08.