Pokok Pukul Lima ( Samanea saman )

Pokok Pukul Lima (Samanea saman) is easily recognized by its characteristic umbrella-shaped canopy. When grown in the open, the tree usually reaches 15–25 m (50–80 ft) in height with a canopy diameter wider than the tree is tall. Pokok Pukul Lima or Rain tree is most important in the Pacific as a shade tree on small farms, along roads, in parks and pastures.

Pokok pukul lima naturalizes freely almost everywhere it has been introduced and is considered an  invasive pest in Vanuatu and Fiji. In many other places naturalized rain tree is not considered a problem.

Current distribution

Rain tree is cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics. In the Pacific, rain tree is known to occur on the following islands: American Samoa (Tutuila), Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Rota), Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei), Fiji (Kanacea, Taveuni, Vanua Levu, Viti Levu), French Polynesia (Íles Tubuai [Rurutu], Tahiti, Marquesas, Moorea, Raiatea), Guam, Hawai‘i, Marshall Islands (Jaluit, Kwajalein), Niue, Palau (Koror), Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Pitcairn, Rotuma, Samoa (‘Upolu), and Tonga (Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava‘u, Lifuka/Foa). The species is also naturalized in a number of the Caribbean Islands including Puerto Rico. It is almost certainly even more widespread than the foregoing list indicates.