Wilbert Manley Jr., age 13, of Newport News, Va., for his question:
IS THERE REALLY A RAIN TREE?
Yes, though it refuses to grow as far north as Virginia. In fact, two members of the pea plant family may be called rain trees. However, neither of these trees sheds showers of genuine rain from its spreading boughs though this is just what it seems to do.
Birds and butterflies often shelter from summer showers in the boughs of a leafy tree. Then they depart, for usually the tree continues to drip dewy moisture from its leaves after the shower is over. Not so the genuine rain tree. It continues to drip when no showers occur.
True, some of this moisture is left over from passing showers. But most of it is donated by cicada type insects. They give off a clammy juice that continues to drip like rain from under the branches. Hence, although there is a real raintree, it does not produce real rain. ASK ANDY NO. 7796 ... July 9 ... real rain.
The so called rain tree belongs to tropical South America, though it can be coaxed to grow in southern Florida. It is a handsome ornamental tree, shaped somewhat like a huge umbrella. The trunk is short and stubby. The handsome boughs spread to form a flat, leafy dome maybe 100 feet 'wide.
Actually it is a tropical evergreen tree, though its dainty leaves fold up at night and on cloudy days. Hence it provides the most shade when shade is needed, during the sunny tropical days. Tropical rains tend to filter down into the folded leaves, and after a shower the rain tree may add some dripping rainwater to the dripping cicada juices. During certain seasons, it bears clusters of pink or white blossoms, accented with scarlet stamens.
As a member of Leguminosae, the pea family, one would expect the handsome rain tree to bear pods. And so it does. When the flowers fade, it develops rather soft, pulpy pods with a sweetish flavor. These are enjoyed by cattle and other animals.
The interesting rain tree also is called the monkeypod tree. This may be because monkeys enjoy its tasty pods. In any case, its lumber is called monkeypod wood and is very expensive. This rare wood is an eye catching patchwork of light and dark islands and streaks.