The
Raintree (Monkeypod) (Samanea saman, Pithecellobium saman) is of the
Leguminosae
family. It is a fast growing tree
native to
Central America and northern
South America (Southern
Mexico (
Yucatan Peninsula) and
Guatemala southward to
Peru,
Bolivia, and
Brazil.).
Hardy in
zones 10 & 11.
It is considered an
ornamental tree but also used as a
shade tree. The tree can attain heights from 100 to 125 ft and trunk diameters of 3 to 4 ft. When grown in the open, it develops a massive wide-spreading
crown and a short thick
trunk; it forms a long, relatively straight
stem when closely spaced. It has been
naturalized in many countries and is greatly valued in
pastures as shade for
cattle.
The most widely used common name for the species is
raintree, from the belief that the tree produces
rain at night. The
leaflets close up at night or when under heavy
cloud cover (this is my personal favorite aspect of this tree - as even the new growth leaves from the
seedling show this trait), allowing rain to pass easily through the crown. This trait may contribute to the frequently observed fact that
grass remains green under the trees in times of
drought. However, the shading effect of the crown, the addition of
nitrogen to the soil by
decomposition of litter from this
leguminous tree, and possibly, the sticky droppings of
cicada insects in the trees all contribute to this
phenomenon.
It may
bloom sporadically throughout the year, but primarily during the
summer months. It bears beautiful glowing pink
flowers followed by attractive green and black
pods that contain a sweet
pulp. Seed pods are
edible. The flowers are in loose heads;
corolla greenish-yellow, stamens dark pink- resembling puff balls; The pods elongate, to 20-24 cm long, they are thick but compressed close and have a black, pulpy interior. They contain numerous
seeds within.
S. saman has a wide range of useful products, the pod in particular producing an
edible pulp. When
ripe, the pulp is sweet and
sugary. It can also be dried and ground into a
meal for
animal feed. The
timber is strong and hard, with a rich, dark
color, and makes good
furniture. The heartwood is a dark walnut to dark chocolate brown which turns light to golden brown with darker
streaks when
seasoned; the
sapwood is thin and yellowish and clearly differentiated from the heartwood. Texture medium to
coarse; luster medium; either straight or
cross grained; without distinctive
odor or
taste. It valued greatly for furniture, cabinet work, millwork, decorative veneer,
joinery and wooden bowls.
The
Hawaiian common name, 'monkey-pod', is used here because it is a logical
derivation of the scientific name Pithecellobium (monkey earring in
Greek). Besides monkey-pod, raintree, and saman, which is its name throughout Latin America, the tree is called
mimosa in the
Philippines.
Here is a further list of names for this tree:
Dormilon (
Puerto Rico),
Algarrobo (
Cuba,
Mexico,
Guatemala),
Cenicero
(
El Salvador,
Costa Rica),
Samaguare (
Colombia),
Lara,
Carabali
(
Venezuela),
Huacamayo-chico (
Peru),
Monkeypod (
Hawaii).
Additional information:
The tree has been
shipped and grown in many global locations such as:
American Samoa (Tutuila), Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Rota), Federated States of
Micronesia (Chuuk (Weno (cult.)), Kosrae (cult.), Pohnpei),
Guam,
Republic of the Marshall Islands (cult.) (Kwajalein, Jaluit),
Republic of Palau (Koror).
In the Pacific:
Fiji,
French Polynesia (
Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea) (cult.),
Hawaii,
Niue,
Papua New Guinea,
Samoa,
Tonga
It was
invasive on
Fiji, where it is reported to contribute 85% of the total volume of woody
biomass per
hectare in low-lying
alluvial sites and river valleys in the drier zones of the major islands. It does not appear to be a serious problem in
Micronesia, but has the ability to spread through native forest
ecosystems, as exhibited in Hawaii and elsewhere.
Elsewhere:
Australia,
Christmas Island (
Indian Ocean).
On a personal
note, I am currently attempting to grow one of these trees as a bonsai.
I started it from seed, soaked it for 24 hours and planted it in loose, well
draining soil. It sprouted after a week or so and now stands around six
inches high. It has a fast-growing root structure and I've already had
to repot it in a larger pot. The most interesting aspect is the fact
that it is very active and finicky - as it closes its leaves whenever shaken,
disturbed or watered. If you enjoy bonsai or experimenting with
trees this one is very rewarding.
References used to compile this information:
http://www.wpsm.net/Pithecellobium%20(1974).pdf
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/mimos.htm
http://www.planetseed.com/seed67.html
http://www.sonic.net/melissk/plantp-t.html
http://www.forestworld.com/forestry/outreach/silvics/hardwoods/Pithecellobium/saman_a.html
http://www.our-pets.net/primatestore/primate_monkey_seeds.htm
http://www.hear.org/pier/sasam.htm
http://www.windsorplywood.com/tropical/Saman.html
http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/Chudnoff/TropAmerican/htmlDocs%20tropamerican/Pithecellobiumsaman
http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DATA/Pf000168.HTM
http://zoneten.com/FloweringTrees.htm
http://www.sylveron.com/raintree_specs.html
http://www.forestweb.com/resources/glossary/species/Tropicalwood/Pithecellobiumsaman.html
http://www.interpac.net/~winkler/monkey.html