Samanea Saman, Albizia saman, Rain Tree - 0.5 kg Seeds

The Rain Tree (Samanea saman, syn. Albizia saman) is a large, fast-growing tree famed for its enormous, dome-shaped, umbrella-like canopy of feathery foliage that folds at dusk and before rain. It carries fluffy pink-and-white powder-puff flowers and long pods filled with sweet pulp and seeds.

Introduced from tropical America and now planted across the warmer parts of India, it is one of the finest shade and avenue trees for roadsides, parks and large gardens, its wide spread cooling whole stretches of ground. The protein-rich pods are valued cattle and pig fodder, and the rich brown timber is carved into bowls and furniture.

• Family: Fabaceae
• Native region: tropical Central and South America
• Mature height: 15-25 m, with a very wide crown
• Growth rate: very fast

The hard-coated seeds need pre-treatment: pour hot (not boiling) water over them and soak for 12-24 hours as it cools, or nick the coat, until they swell. Sow about 1-2 cm deep in polybags of light soil; germination is rapid, usually 7-14 days. Grow the vigorous seedlings on and transplant at the onset of the monsoon, allowing plenty of space.