Albizia lebbeck, commonly known as Woman's Tongue or Lebbeck, is a fast-growing legume tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The species exhibits physical seed dormancy due to its hard seed coat, but germination can be readily improved through simple mechanical scarification or hot water treatment. Under optimal conditions with properly pretreated seeds, germination occurs within 4-25 days.
Before sowing
Combination of nicking and large seeds produces optimal germination (100%). Seeds naturally exhibit physical dormancy due to hard seed coat. Some seeds germinate immediately without any treatment. Select larger seeds for best results.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Select large seeds over small ones for superior germination rates. Mechanical scarification (nicking) is the safest and most effective pretreatment method. If using hot water, cool it overnight before sowing. Some seeds germinate naturally without treatment; patience is recommended as dormant seeds may germinate later. Maintain medium moisture in substrate—not waterlogged. Seedlings require bright light and warm conditions but are light-indifferent. Use polythene tubes (10 cm) for easy nursery handling and transplanting.
Sources: ResearchGate (Missanjo et al. 2013, Azad et al. 2006), Hindawi journals, Tropical Forages database, Australian Seed, Lucid Central rainforest guide, World Agroforestry Centre
