Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Albizia saman (Jacq.) Merr. (FABACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Raintree, Hujan Hujan, Monkey-Pod Tree, Cow Tamarind, Five O�clock Tree

Description

Deciduous tree to 30 m tall, diameter over 2 m with large symmetrical crown. Leaves bipinnately compound with 3-9 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets close at dusk or before a storm, thus the name ‘rain tree’. Flowers pink to re-purple in simple heads on slender stalks. Fruits flattened pods, 15-20 cm long ripening black.

Ecology

Ranges from subtropical very dry to moist to tropical dry to moist forests.

Distribution

Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala to Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.

Uses

Widely planted as a street tree. Timber used in furniture, carvings and panelling.