Pithecellobium saman. Cenizero, rain tree

Is a plant species within the mimosa subfamily and can grow up to 20 meters high. At night it seems to rain lightly under its crown and under the tree the grass stays green much longer in the dry season. The cause is thought to be excretions of song cicadas, which inhabit the tree in great numbers, or the extrafloral nectaries, which shed sugar-rich sap that sometimes falls from the tree like rain. Another explanation of its name is offered by the peculiarity of the rain tree, which folds up its leaflets when it rains, so that the drops of water fall through the crown with little hindrance. At flowering time, abundant stamens fall from the crown of the tree from time to time like a shower.

Thus, in connection with the shading effect of the crown, the grass under the tree always remains green. The rain tree is highly valued in tropical and subtropical areas as a shady park and street tree. It has also been used to provide shade in coffee and cocoa plantations. In pastures, its fruits serve as fodder for cattle, goats and pigs. Its wood is used in arts and crafts and for making musical instruments.