silk tree; mimosa tree
A deciduous tree native to Asia, known for its pink, silky flowers and leaves that close at night. Often called 'mimosa' in English, though botanically it is Albizia julibrissin.
A large silk tree is planted in the park.
The silk tree flowers bloom in summer.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling without okurigana; rarely used.
Kanji spelling with okurigana; rarely used.
Rarely used kanji form.
The name is traditionally explained as 眠の木, “sleeping tree,” referring to its leaflets closing at night. 合歓 is the established Chinese-derived spelling for the tree, associated with the paired leaflets coming together.