Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 27. 



Albizzia dulcis, F. v. Mueller. (Pithecolobium dulce, Bentham.) 



Mexico, Advancing in tree-growth to 50 feet. Thorny. Has 

 hardly a rival as a hedge-plant in frostless climes [W. Fawcett]. 

 Particularly resisting sea breeze. The sweet pulp of the pod is 

 regarded as wholesome. Ripens its fruit as far south as Moreton- 

 Bay [F. Turner]. 



Albizzia Julibrissin, Durazzini. 



From the Caucasus to Japan. A favorite ornamental red-flower- 

 ing Shade-Acacia in Southern Europe. Naturally it seeks river- 

 banks. 



Albizzia latisiliqua, F. v. Mueller. (Lysiloma latisiliqua, Bentham.) 



Tropical America. A large spreading' tree ; trunk attaining a 

 diameter of 3 feet ; wood excellent for select cabinet-work, excelling 

 according to Nuttall the Mahogany in its variable shining tints, 

 which appear like watered satin ; it is hard and close-grained. 



Albizzia Lcbbek, Bentham. 



The Siris-Acacia of Southern and Middle Asia and Northern 

 Africa. Available as a shade-tree. It produces also a good deal 

 of gum ; the flowers much sought for honey by bees. In warm 

 regions easily naturalized from seeds. An allied species is the 

 North-Eastern Australian A. canescens (Bentham). 



Albizzia lophantha, Bentham. (Acacia lophaatha, Willdenow.) 



South- Western Australia. One of the most rapidly-growing 

 plants for copses and first temporary shelter in exposed localities, 

 but never attaining the size of a real tree. It produces seeds 

 abundantly, which germinate most easily. For the most desolate 

 places, especially in desert-tracts, it is of great importance, quickly 

 affording shade, shelter and a copious vegetation. Cattle browse 

 on the leaves. The bark contains only about 8 per cent, mimosa- 

 tannin ; but Mr. Rummel found in the dry root about 10 per cent, 

 of saponin, so valuable in silk- and wool-factories. Saponin also 

 occurs in Xylia dolabriformis of Southern Asia. In Australia this 

 plant is found better even than the Broom-bush for sheltering new 

 forest plantations in open sand-lands ; in rich soil known to have 

 grown 14 feet in a year. 



Albizzia micrantba. Boivin. (A. odoratissima, Bentham.) 



India ; ascending to 5,000 feet ; growing in almost any kind o^ 

 soil ; hardy in sub-tropical countries. A middle-sized tree ; timber 

 particularly hard, dark-colored, durable and strong ; well adapted 

 for naves and felloes [Drury and Brandis]. Regarded by Rox- 

 burgh as one of the most valuable jungle-timbers. 



