Fabaceae-Mimosaceae
Albizia versicolor
Poison-pod Albizia · mnduruasi
T
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Albizia versicolor is a medium to large deciduous tree, typically growing 8-20m tall with a spreading, rounded crown. It features rough, corky, dark grey bark and bipinnate leaves, whose young foliage is often pinkish-red, maturing to shiny olive-green, and turning yellow in autumn. The tree produces large, fluffy, creamy white to greenish-yellow flower heads and prominent, flat, reddish-brown pods up to 27 cm long that are toxic to livestock.
Where it works in Kilifi
This tree is excellent as an ornamental shade tree or specimen plant in large Kilifi-coast gardens and parks. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained loamy soil, particularly in areas with a high water table or near water sources. Its nitrogen-fixing properties also make it suitable for agroforestry systems.
Growing notes
Albizia versicolor has a moderate growth rate and, once established, requires a seasonally dry environment with sparse watering, allowing the soil to dry between applications. Seeds should be soaked in water for 6 hours before planting to enhance germination.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: treesa.org, sanbi.org, worldagroforestry.org, theferns.info, mozambiqueflora.com, google.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.