A wide tree that has almost horizontal growing branches. The bark is dark grey and the young twigs have an olive green colour, but turn to dark grey later. The large leaf can attain a length of 40 cm. The twice pinnate leaf consists of 4 to 11 parts, each with 15 to 28 pairs of small, crescent-shaped leaflets and a delicately curved margin. The whole resembles the leaf of a fern and is very decorative. The leaflets close in the evening. The flowers cluster in dense heads on long stalks and catch the attention by their purple red stamens that can become 3 cm long. The pods attain a length of 15 cm and rarely open. Widely planted in countries around the Mediterranean. Requires shielding in severe winters. Albizia julibrissin has a characteristic manner of growth and ornamental leaves. The fact that it flowers less abundantly in cooler climates should not be a problem.