Albizia Saman

Description

This wide-canopied tree with a large symmetrical crown and rough wrinkled bark bears attractive, fragrant, whiskery, pink flowers which mature into fleshy pods, sweet to the taste which are much relished by squirrels, horses and cattle. This important honey plant grows to a great age, the leaves folding in rainy weather and also in the evening, hence the name "rain tree" and "five o'clock tree". It is native to the neotropics in South America but is now much naturalised.

Sowing Advice

These seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and should be sown into a well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, and covered thinly with sand or grit and kept moist. Keep at between 20-25 degrees C. Seeds sometimes germinate within 4 to 6 weeks although some may take very much longer so please be patient. Plant out in the open ground in warmer countries or in a large container elsewhere.

Key Facts