Samanea saman, Albizia saman
Family: Family: Mimosoideae / Mimosaceae
Rain Tree, Monkeypod, Cenizaro, Cow Tamarind
Origin: Tropical America
Stunning shade tree with large, dome-shaped canopy – symmetrical crown. Pink powderpuff flowers. The pods have a sweet, sticky brown pulp, and are fed to cattle in Central America. It is native to the mainland neotropics, from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil, but has been widely introduced to the Pacific islands, including Hawaii. The attractive wood is crafted into platters and bowls that are commonly marketed in Hawaii.
