This giant of a tree from the pea family is native to the Central and South America but it has fixed its roots firmly in the Indian soil. Indeed, it grows to be so huge that it dominates the entire landscape! Interestingly, its hugeness is attributed as much as – if not more than – to the width of its crown than to its height. Yes, at times, the rain tree can have a larger crown spread than height, which gives it an umbrella-like appearance.
Unfortunately, this spread of the crown and the heaviness of its branches make it susceptible to damage during storms and heavy winds as, unsupported by any sort of prop roots, they tend to break and fall.
Just as the evening sets, the leaves of the monkeypod tree fold inwards and droop, as if going to sleep. It is, therefore, also called the five o’clock tree. Incidentally, this phenomenon is also observed during the rains, which is why it has been nicknamed the rain tree in the first place!
The Great Eggfly and Common Mormon butterflies visit this tree for nectar while the Common Grass Yellow butterfly lays eggs on its leaves and lets it larvae feed on them.