View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
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Botanical description<br />
Albizia adianthifolia has a conspicuous flat crow. The bark is grey to reddish brown<br />
and rough. Its branchlets and peduncles have grey to brown hairs, with the young<br />
tips tinged pinkish red (Lewis et al., 2005).<br />
Figure 3.4 Rectangular leaflets with midribs diagonally across them.<br />
(www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/albiziadian.htm)<br />
Its leaves are very characteristic; the 4-8 pairs <strong>of</strong> pinnae bear 6-12 pairs <strong>of</strong> leaflets<br />
each. Every leaflet is obliquely rhombic-quadrate (rectangular), with the midrib<br />
diagonally across it. The petiole has a gland at the base. The flowers are striking,<br />
forming relatively large, half–spherical heads. Petals are white or greenish white, and<br />
are joined for at least two thirds <strong>of</strong> their length. Stamens are fused partly to form a<br />
tube and are reddish pink or green at the tips. In South Africa the tree flowers in<br />
spring during the months <strong>of</strong> September-November (Lewis et al. 2005).<br />
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