Rain Tree

Albizzia Saman

A very large deciduous tree with enormous umbrella-shaped crown. Trunk is usually short and fat. Pinkish puff-like flowers and twice feathered leaves that close themselves at night and cloudy weather.

Leaf: Twice-feathered, 15’’ long with 6 pairs of side stalks with up to 8 pairs of oppositely arrange leaflet. Outermost leaflets and side stalks are usually largest

Flower: Grouped in conspicuous round heads with numerous rose-colored stamens that look like puff

Fruit: narrow straight and flattened pod around 8’’ long blackish when ripe

Season: Leaves fall by end of winter and renewed by March. In flower from March to October with peaks in March-April and again in August.

Range/habitat: Tropical south America, like Brazil, Venezuela. Introduce in India in late nineteenth century

Trivia and notes: Why the name rain tree? Some say it indicates that rain is coming by folding its leaves. Another theory is in some parts of its range the ground remains wet due to tiny droplets of water falling from the tree (which was later discovered to be discharged by some insects)

Of late, many rain trees in Kolkata are dying. The reason is not fully clear. Some say it is due to mealybug infestation.

Where to Find: Very common tree in lake. From Dhakuria gate to Safari park there are quite a few trees close to the lake.