Monkey Pod Rain Tree (Samanea Saman) 15 Seeds Monkey Pod Tree A stunning shade tree from tropical America, the Monkeypod or Rain Tree is a fast-growing tree that has been introduced to many tropical regions throughout the world. Its large, dome-shaped canopy and symmetrical crown make it an ideal shade tree but make sure you give them lots of space! In tropical areas they can potentially grow to more than 100 feet tall with a trunk that is over 5 feet in diameter. Fortunately the tree is very tolerant of heavy pruning and can be maintained at any desired size. The nickname Rain Tree comes from the fact that its leaflets are light sensitive and fold together at night, allowing rain to pass easily through the crown, lending itself to the belief that the tree produces rain at night. It produces beautiful glowing pink powder-puff flowers but its blooms are somewhat insignificant and the tree is more often grown for its other pleasing attributes. This magnificent tree is hardy outside in only frost-free zones but it can be raised inside in containers and also makes a wonderful bonsai specimen. Saman is a wide-canopied tree with a large symmetrical crown. It usually reaches a height of 25 m (82 ft) and a diameter of 40 m. The leaves fold in rainy weather and in the evening, hence the name "rain tree" and "five o'clock tree" (Pukul Lima) in Malay. Several lineages of this tree are available, e.g., with reddish pink and creamish golden colored flowers.