Paraserianthes lophantha

The Paraserianthes lophantha will delight the happy owners of gardens in very mild climates, for the touch of exoticism it will bring. Fast-growing, it forms a charming small tree with a spreading habit, as wide as it is tall (about 5m (16ft) or more). Its doubly toothed foliage resembles that of Albizia julibrissin, but its flower is clearly different. On the one hand, because it takes the shape of a brush, resembling that of Callistemon, and its yellow colour is quite original and very aesthetic. On the other hand, its flowering occurs in the middle of winter! Rather easy to grow in most soils, this small tree tolerates dryness once well rooted.

Paraserianthes lophanta (also known by its old synonym Albizia lophanta) belongs to the Fabaceae family (or Leguminosae, subfamily Mimosoideae). As much as this botanical family is huge (nearly 20,000 species distributed worldwide, trees, shrubs, lianas, herbaceous plants, ornamental or food), the genus Paraserianthes has only 3 or 4 recognized species. Originally from Australia or Oceania, they have been spread for ornamental purposes in different areas of the world with favorable climates, and P. lophanta is starting to become a bit invasive in California. However, it is appreciated in other countries for its agroforestry interest, where its foliage serves as fodder for livestock and its wood as fuel. Not to mention that as a good Legume, its roots harbor bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Originally from southwestern Australia, it is a small tree that grows very quickly in its native habitat, especially in coastal areas, reaching about 8m (26ft) in height. It flowers from June to September (southern hemisphere winter = opposite season compared to ours) and is also used as an ornamental plant, known to be insect-resistant. Under our latitudes, it generally reaches about 5m (16ft) in height and width, making it a good subject for small gardens. Its light and spreading habit is particularly decorative, as well as its green foliage consisting of large fern-like leaves. About twenty centimeters long, they are doubly pinnate, meaning they are formed of 6 to 12 pairs of opposite pinnae, each of which is composed of 20 to 24 thin and elongated leaflets, giving the foliage a special elegance. This foliage is evergreen in sufficiently mild climates, but may drop due to frost. Its second beauty asset is its flowering, composed of yellowish-green brush-like inflorescences about 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, quite similar in shape to those of Callistemon, the more famous "Bottlebrush". Their distinctive appearance has given this tree its species name, "lophis" meaning "crest" in Greek, hence one of its common names, Crested Albizia. These particularly graphic flowers have the good taste to appear in the middle of winter, as in Australia, that is, from December to March in our hemisphere, which enhances their ornamental interest, as not many trees flower during this season. These flowers develop into long brown pods (about 10-12 cm (4-5in) long), containing black seeds.
This small tree grows in most soils, preferably light and well-drained, and if possible a little moist, but once well rooted, it withstands drought quite well. However, it is quite frost-sensitive, especially when young, which limits its geographical distribution reserving it for the mildest areas.

This Paraserianthes lophantha is therefore a plant for connoisseurs, who will appreciate its very exotic appearance as well as its rarity in our latitudes. In the mildest climates, it can be associated with other beautiful plants with an exotic look. While it can be planted as a specimen, it is more recommended to plant it in a mixed bed with large shrubs or small trees to create a mass effect that is both aesthetic and somewhat protective against frost. It can thus be associated with the magnificent Metrosideros kermadecensis Sunninghill, whose small simple leaves with yellow margins will contrast with those of Paraserianthes, while its bright red flowers will shine in summer. The Hyeres Flamboyant (Sesbania punicea) will also provide its spectacular red flowering in summer, while the Caesalpinia gilliesii, slightly hardier than the others, will display foliage as delicate as that of Paraserianthes and a long summer flowering that strongly evokes the Tropics, with yellow flowers from which long filamentous red stamens emerge.