Forest Seeds

Albizzia procera, Benth.

Family: Leguminosae - Mimosoideae

Common Name: White Siris ---------------------------------------------------------------- Telugu Name: Chigara

 General:

A very conspicuous and fairly common tree in moist forests, Qccuring on river banks and along the streams. The smooth yellowish white bark at once distinguishes the tree. Recommended for plantations. in sandy and sandy loams with good moisture supply.

Flowering:

May-August.

Fruiting:

Pods ripen from April-May of the following year.

Morphology of the Fruit/Seed:

Pods 10 to 20 cms by 1.8 to 2.5 cms; reddish brown with darker blotches over the seeds when ripe, flexible and dehiscent. Seeds 6 to 12; 5 to 7 mm in size, flat, elliptical to nearly orbicular, hard, smooth, pale brown with a hard leathery testa.

Seed Collection and Storage:

Pods are collected from the trees by cutting the branches; pods are dried in the sun for few days before they open. Seeds are extracted by gentle thrashing and winnowing. Seeds can be stored for 5 years without loss in viability.

Pretreatment:

Soaking in boiling water and allowed to cool for 24 hours; or soaking in cold water for 48 hours.

Nursery Technique:

Sowing is done in April to May in unshaded primary beds (i.e. in drills spaced about 7.6 x 7.6 cms). Seedlings are pricked out into the polybags when 2 months old. Stumps prepared from 1 to 2 year old plants, give very good results.