Rain Tree
Samanea saman · Deciduous and Evergreen, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Fabaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type, no widely recognized distinct cultivars
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 11, highly sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures
About This Tree
A massive, majestic tree famous for its exceptionally broad, umbrella-shaped canopy that can span wider than the tree is tall, featuring dark, rough bark and dense layers of bipinnately compound foliage
Leaf Characteristics
Bipinnately compound leaves with oval to oblong leaflets that fold together at night or during rainy, overcast weather, dark green above and paler beneath
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to nearly black, rough, deeply furrowed, and ridged, becoming scaly and rugged as the tree ages
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical America, ranging from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil; widely naturalized across tropical Asia and the Pacific
Growing Season
Evergreen to semi-deciduous depending on rainfall, flushing new leaves and pinkish powder-puff flowers primarily in the spring and summer months
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun, moderate watering needs once established with good drought tolerance, preferring moist, well-draining soils
Mature Size
Reaches heights of 50 to 80 feet with a massive spreading canopy spanning up to 100 feet or more, fast to moderate growth rate
Special Characteristics
Exceptional shade provider, high tolerance for urban pollution and compacted soils, notable for leaves folding in response to rain or darkness
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial nesting habitat and canopy cover for numerous tropical bird species, pollinators are attracted to its nectar-rich flowers, and seed pods are eaten by various mammals