The Happiness Tree: Albizia julibrissin
The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
Release Date: 08/11/2020
The Fabulous Fig
The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
Episode 38: Our plant today is Fig and our guest is Dr. Lee Reich. Lee is a writer, horticultural consultant, and educator with graduate degrees in soil science and horticulture. Lee is a big fan of Figs (Ficus carica) and in this episode we learn how to successfully propagate, grow, and harvest this ancient plant. Lee explains why it’s a challenge to know how many varieties of Figs there really are and shares his tips about how to keep your Fig trees healthy and happy. Figs are unique in the fruit world. Did you know that when you eat a Fig, you aren’t eating a fruit? A fig is really a...
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The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
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The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
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Wheat- An Ancient Grain for Modern Times
The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
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The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
Tulsi is a beautiful aromatic plant with strong medicinal qualities. In this interview with organic farmer Alena Steen of Night Heron Farm we learn how to propagate, grow, harvest, and utilize this lovely and revered plant.
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The Happiness Tree: Albizia julibrissin
The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
Albizia julibrisson is one of my new favorite new trees. Commonly called The Tree of Happiness, Persian Silk Tree, and Mimosa, Albizia is native to Asia and a member of the Fabaceae family. I love its pink puffball flowers, gorgeous fragrance, whimsical nature, and potent medicine.
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The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
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The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
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The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
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The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
In this episode, I speak with Geranium expert Robin Parer about the entire Geraniaceae Family: Hardy Geraniums, Pelargoniums, Erodiums,and Monsonias. Robin talks in depth about how to grow and propagate them, where they are found in nature, the mistaken identity of Pelargoniums, and why she has been entranced with this plant family for so long.
info_outlineEpisode 33: Albizia julibrisson is one of my new favorite new trees. Commonly called The Tree of Happiness, Persian Silk Tree, and Mimosa, Albizia is native to Asia and a member of the Fabaceae family. I love its pink puffball flowers, gorgeous fragrance, whimsical nature, and potent medicine.
To learn about Albizia, I spoke with Community Herbalist and Traditional Food Ways Educator Lindsay Kolasa.
Lindsay and I start the interview by acknowledging that in some areas, Albizia julibrissin can be a weedy invasive plant. Albizia is self seeding, thrives in disturbed soil, and has very viable seeds. So please be mindful of planting it- especially if you live in a place where it can easily spread and outcompete native plants. With this in mind, Lindsay and I talk about invasive plant medicine and why it's important to learn the traditional uses of these plants.
We then dive into Albizia's long history of medicinal use. Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Materia Medica in the 700's, Albizia julibrissin was highly valued in traditional Chinese Medicine. Albizia's flowers and bark are useful in treating insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Albizia is a "calming spirit" herb and promotes feelings of well being, peace, and (you guessed it!) happiness.
Lindsay tells how to sustainably harvest both bark and flowers and prepare them for teas, infusions, and tinctures.
Lindsay Kolasa is originally from New Orleans and Mississippi. She has taught at large conferences, such as the Southeast Women’s Herb Conference and for small groups, such as feisty garden clubs. Lindsay also ran an apothecary in the red, clay hills of eastern Mississippi, where her family stretches back six generations.
To learn more about Lindsay, visit her website at LindsayKolasa.com.
You can read Lindsay's article about Albizia here.