Pithecolobium Saman

This leguminous plant yields eatable pods,

which are fed to cattle in Brazil. Some Mexican species produce

pods that are boiled and eaten, and certain portions contain

saponaceous properties. The pods are sometimes called Manila

tamarinds. The leaves of this tree fold closely up at night, so

that they do not prevent the radiation of heat from the surface of

the ground, and dew is therefore deposited underneath its

branches. The grass on the surface of the ground underneath this

tree being thus wet with dew, while that under other trees is

found to be dry, has given it the name of rain tree, under the

supposition that the leaves dropped water during the night.