lebbeck

It is a tree growing to a height of 18–30 m (59–98 ft) tall with a trunk .5 to 1 m (1 ft 8 in to 3 ft 3 in) in diameter. The leaves are bipinnate, 7.5–15 cm (3–6 in) long, with one to four pairs of pinnae, each pinna with 6–18 leaflets. The flowers are white, with numerous 2.5–3.8 cm (1.0–1.5 in) long stamens, and very fragrant. The fruit is a pod 15–30 cm (6–12 in) long and 2.5–5.0 cm (1–2 in) broad, containing six to twelve seeds.

Albizia lebbeck is found in a wide range of climates ranging from semi-desert, to humid regions. It can endure long cold winters, as well as very dry climate. A. lebbeck is a drought-tolerant tree that can be found throughout the tropics. Due to its ability to adapt to a broad spectrum of climates, this species has spread to different tropical regions throughout the world as an invasive species.

Its uses include environmental management, forage, medicine and wood. It is cultivated as a shade tree in North and South America. In India and Pakistan, the tree is used to produce timber. Wood from Albizia lebbeck has a density of 0.55-0.66 g/cm3 or higher.

Even where it is not native, some indigenous herbivores are liable to utilize lebbeck as a food resource. For example, the greater rhea (Rhea americana) has been observed feeding on it in the cerrado of Brazil.

Ethnobotany. Lebbeck is an astringent, also used by some cultures to treat boils, cough, to treat the eye, flu, gingivitis, lung problems, pectoral problems, is used as a tonic, and is used to treat abdominal tumors. The bark is used medicinally to treat inflammation. This information was obtained via ethnobotanical records, which are a reference to how a plant is used by indigenous peoples, not verifiable, scientific or medical evaluation of the effectiveness of these claims. Albizia lebbeck is also psychoactive. It is also very effective in migraine. All parts of the plant are useful, such as the leaves, root, and stem. The flowers of the plant are traditionally used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat insomnia.