rain tree

noun

large ornamental tropical American tree with bipinnate leaves and globose clusters of flowers with crimson stamens and seed pods that are eaten by cattle

• Syn: ↑saman, ↑monkeypod, ↑monkey pod, ↑zaman, ↑zamang, ↑Albizia saman

• Hypernyms: ↑albizzia, ↑albizia

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noun

Etymology: so called from the belief that it exudes water from its leaflets

: an ornamental tropical American tree (Pithecolobium saman) having bipinnate leaves, globose clusters of flowers with crimson stamens, and sweet-pulp pods eaten by cattle

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monkeypod.

[1875-80]

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rain tree noun

A S American tree (Samanea saman) of the family Mimosaceae, under which there is a constant rain of juice ejected by cicadas

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Main Entry: ↑rain

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rain tree,

= monkeypod. (Cf. ↑monkeypod)

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n. a large tropical American tree that is widely planted as a street tree. It has grooved bark that typically supports epiphytic plants, and "rain" (as it mimics the sound of rain) that is excreted by cicadas that live in the tree. ● Albizia saman, family Leguminosae