Woman's tongue - Albizia lebbeck (Care, Characteristics, Flower, Images)

Woman's tongue

Also known as: Lebbeck, Kokko, Frywood, Lebbek tree

Woman's tongue (Albizia lebbeck) is a deciduous tree that can grow to 30 m tall. It has a rounded canopy and gray, rough, cork-like bark. Blooms in spring with greenish yellow flowers. Produces long hanging seed pods. Invades pine lands and hammocks, disrupting the natural flora and fauna. The wood is naturally termite resistant and is often used in furniture making.

Scientific classification

Species

Woman's tongue (Albizia lebbeck)

Legumes, milkworts and allies

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Perennial

Lifespan

36 m

Spread

3 cm to 4 cm

Flower Size

White, Yellow, Green

Flower Color

Deciduous

Leaf type

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Images of Woman's tongue

Distribution of Woman's tongue

Distribution Map

The plant identified as woman's tongue is widespread, with a native presence mainly in the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It has been introduced widely across other parts of the world, including continents like South America and Oceania. In some of these areas, woman's tongue is cultivated, indicating its value to local agricultural or horticultural practices. While it has settled comfortably in numerous regions, woman's tongue is sometimes thought to be mildly invasive, potentially impacting local ecosystems, particularly in parts of the Pacific and the Americas.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Tropical to subtropical sandy river beds and savannahs.

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Flowering

Fruiting

Culture

Interesting Facts

Various parts of the woman's tongue tree are mildly toxic. The bark can be used as a fish poison and the red dye made from it also tends to cause skin irritation. The saponin contained in its seed pods is hazardous to sheep but can be safely eaten by horses and cows. The peppery sawdust is irritating to the throat.

Name Story

Woman's tongue: This tree goes by many names around the world. The unusual moniker, "woman's tongue," was given due to the many seed pods that hang from its branches. When dry, they rattle and chatter against one another, apparently recalling chatting women to the plant's original namers.

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Toxicity

Woman's tongue possesses mild toxicity to humans, cats, and dogs. All parts contain saponins, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in people upon ingestion. Cats and dogs show similar gastrointestinal symptoms. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if pets ingest parts of woman's tongue to manage the effects of poisoning effectively and ensure their well-being.

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Care Guide for Woman's tongue

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Woman's tongue prospers in tropical climates, adapting to heavy rains and droughts. It requires watering every 2-3 weeks to maintain balanced soil moisture. Preferring full sun, woman's tongue is usually grown outdoors, necessitating consideration of local rainfall for supplemental irrigation.

Fertilize: For optimal growth, woman's tongue requires balanced nutrition from slow-release fertilizers every three months during the growing season. Reduce feeding in dormancy and always water post-application to aid absorption. Adjust quantities based on plant size, adhering to product guidelines to avoid root damage.

Pruning: Woman's tongue thrives with early spring pruning to promote new growth. Key techniques involve removing dead wood, thinning branches, and shaping the canopy for air circulation. Annual pruning ensures health and beauty. Always use clean, sharp tools to minimize damage.

Propagation: Woman's tongue thrives in tropical regions and diverse soils, known for its rapid growth and resilience. For propagation, sow fresh seeds in well-draining soil in a sunny spot. Pre-treating seeds with hot water enhances germination, requiring careful bed preparation and pest protection for success.

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