The Rain Tree

Rain Tree
 
Common Name: Rain Tree
Botanical Name: Samanea saman
Family: Leguminosae
Origin: South America

pbg the rain tree

The magnificent rain tree at the main entrance of Penang Botanic Gardens had greeted many visitor since 1800’s. This fast growing shade-tree can grow up until 35 meter in height. It provides much shade with its large, widespread and umbrella-shaped crown. The flowers form in small pinkish white clusters.

Locals call it the “Pokok Pukul Lima” or the “5 o’clock Tree” because the compound exhibit “sleep motion”, that is they close just before sunset and open just after sunrise. This feature retains more moisture for the tree by enabling more dew to settle when the leaves are folded.