ALBIZZIA 



131 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF C^SALPINIA 



* Stamens and style red and very long, extending far teyond the 



petals. (A. ) 

 A. Sepals hairy-fringed ; plant without spines or prickles. Gillies' 

 C^SALPiNiA or La Plata Poinciana (166) — Caesalpinia Gfl- 

 liesii. 



A. Plant with few scattered prickles and crisped yellow petals ; 

 evergreen. Bakbadoes Pkide (167) or Dwarf Poinciana 

 — Csesalpinia pulchSrrima. 



* Stamens not especially long or much exserted beyond the petals. (B.) 



B. Plant without prickles ; blades of the leaves |-1 inch long and 

 blunt; flowers yellow and showy. Caesalpinia pannbsa. 



B. Plant with prickles or thorns. (C.) 



C. Pod smooth ; stamens red ; petals canary-yellow ; prickles re- 

 curved. The hardiest species. Japan C^salpinia (165) 

 — Csesalpinia jap6nioa. 



C. Pod prickly with 7 black seeds ; blades of leaves 1-3 inches 

 long; flowers white and purple. Caesalpinia Minax. 



Albizzia. The Albizzias, frequently though improperly called 

 Mimosa Trees, are tropic trees (25 

 species) with only one species, 

 Mimosa Tree (168) — Albizzia julib- 

 rfssin, — hardy enough to thrive in 

 the middle states. This has alter- 

 nate leaves, twice-abruptly-pinnate, 

 with 400-1500 small blades. These 

 blades are entire-edged and lopsided, 

 the midrib being near the upper edge. 

 The pinkish flowers are feathery or 

 silky, in summer, and the flat pods 

 are 5 or 6 inches long. This beauti- 

 ful small tree can be grown in pro- 

 tected places north to New York 

 city. Its remarkable foliage makes 

 it a very interesting plant where it 

 can be grown. It is very late in start- 

 ing growth in the spring, July in 

 the middle states, and continues 

 putting out new leaves till after severe 

 frosts, even till most other deciduous 

 trees and shrubs have dropped their 

 foliage. Fig. 168. — Mimosa Tree. 



