Albizia saman - Gulabi Siris

Coco tamarind

Family

Mimosaceae

Origin

Central and South America

Description

Albizia saman is commonly known as 'Rain Tree' and it is an ornamental tree. Saman is a wide-canopied tree with a large symmetrical umbrella-shaped crown. It usually reaches a height of 15-25 m and a diameter of 30 m . Its leaves fold in rainy weather and in the evening, hence the name "rain tree" and "five o'clock tree" (Pukul Lima) in Malay.

The tree has pinkish flowers with white and red stamens, set on heads with around 12-25 flowers per head.The fruit is a pod 15-30 cm long and 2.5-5.0 cm broad, containing six to twelve seeds.

Environment

Albizia saman prefers partly shade to full sunlight and moderate watering. These plants are able to succeed in most soil types, including saline but excluding cracking clay, so long as they are well drained.

Landscape Uses

Commonly planted in gardens and landscapes for shade