Family: Fabaceae

A large tree with an umbrella-shaped canopy. Introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1847 from Mexico, the rain tree thrives in Hawaiʻi. Compound leaflets fold up on rainy days and at night, hence the common name rain tree. Flowers are white with pink-tipped showy stamens.

The wood is used in woodworking. The seeds are good fodder as well as for lei making, the fruit can be eaten, but its primary use is ornamental. The rain tree has been planted extensively throughout Hawaiʻi with some naturalization records on all the main islands.

 

Plant Uses:

• Nitrogen fixer
• Ornamental
• Shade
• Specimen
• Woodworking

Plant Dangers:

• Toxic to animals

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate tolerance (wide rainfall, altitude, and habitat range)
  
• Repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Naturalized in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
  
• Nitrogen-fixing, can alter soil and habitats
  
• Seeds toxic to cattle
  
• Produces viable, long-lived, hard-coated seeds
  
• Can be bird-dispersed
  
• Seeds survive gut passage and germinate in dung
  
• Tolerates heavy pruning and transplanting

Low Risk Traits:

• Not listed as an agricultural, forestry, or environmental weed
  
• Lacks spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Pods palatable to livestock
  
• Edible pulp for humans (not toxic)
  
• Intolerant of shade
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• Seeds not dispersed unintentionally, by wind, or by water
  
• Seeds too large to be produce contaminants