Rain Tree

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Leisure · Subcategory: Singular trees

This impressive “rain tree” ( Pithecellobium saman ) is located in the gardens of what was one of the most significant modernist houses in Santa Cruz, Villa Petra, which today forms part of an educational centre.

The specimen reaches a height of more than 15 metres and a base perimeter of six. It has a large crown formed by branches with bipinnate leaves, 20-40 cm long. Its spectacular flowering is admired between October and April with red-pink flowers gathered in showy inflorescences located at the ends of the branches.

The tree has the particularity of closing its leaves when rain threatens and the sky darkens, hence its popular name “rain tree”.

Although it is a species native to Mexico and Central America, it is one of the most characteristic trees of Venezuela's vegetation. The “samán de Güere” is famous, under whose enormous crown Simón Bolívar took refuge with his troops and which Humboldt compared in age with the Drago of Icod de los Vinos.

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