This large tree has a short thick grey trunk with spreading upright to horizontal branches that form broad spreading crown. It has twice divided mid green leaves and the pom pom-like pink flowers appear in clusters during spring followed by pods.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12 

Samanea saman is naturally found in Tropical America from Trinidad to Tobago and northern South America growing from coastal lowlands to an elevation of 300m (1,000ft) in dry forests and grasslands or savannah. It has naturalised throughout the tropics and Pacific islands.

It grows on most well drained moderately fertile moist soils and prefers an open sunny position and tolerates drought and high temperatures but is frost and cold tender.

The Rain Tree is grown for its habit, foliage and flowers. It is planted in large gardens or parks as a shade tree or used in car parks and is suitable for coastal regions. It establishes 3 to 5 years and lives up to 100 years. t is an excellent habitat for epiphytes in rainforests and the tree is grown throughout the tropical region. ID 2921

Note:
This tree can attain a width of up to 76m (250ft) and a height of 60m (120ft) but under cultivation it normally grows much smaller.

This tree is regarded as a weed in many countries such as Papua New Guinea where it invades farm and pasture land and is most prevalent in disturbed soils. 

Samanea (sa-MAN-ee-ah) saman (sa-MAHN)

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)