Thailand's natural wonder: The awe-inspiring Samanea saman or Rain Tree

Interesting facts Thailand's natural wonder: The awe-inspiring Samanea saman or Rain Tree

Transcript

00:00Welcome to Trending Places.

00:07Today we will take you through the biggest tree of Samanaya Saman or rain tree in Kanchanburi,

00:14Thailand.

00:15Samanaya Saman, also known as the rain tree or monkey pod tree, and its significance

00:24is one of the biggest trees in Thailand.

00:31The rain tree is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, and it is native

00:37to Central and South America but has been introduced to many tropical regions around

00:43the world, including Southeast Asia.

00:49In Thailand, the rain tree is commonly found in urban areas, especially in Bangkok, where

00:56it provides shade and aesthetic value.

01:03One notable specimen is located in the Bangkachao area of Samut Prakarn province, which is known

01:10as the Great Tamarind Tree, and is believed to be over 300 years old, with a height of

01:17about 40 meters and a spread of about 30 meters.

01:24It is considered one of the largest rain trees in Thailand and is a popular tourist attraction.

01:34Some Interesting Facts About Rain Tree

01:40The rain tree is so named because its leaves fold up at night, like an umbrella, and reopen

01:46in the morning after the dew has settled.

01:53This folding action creates a rustling sound that resembles rain falling.

02:01The rain tree is often used as a shade tree because of its broad, spreading canopy, which

02:07can provide relief from the hot tropical sun.

02:11In fact, its shade is so dense that it has been known to kill off grass and other plants

02:17growing beneath it.

02:22The rain tree is an important tree in traditional medicine in many parts of the world.

02:29Its bark, leaves, and pods have been used to treat a variety of ailments, including

02:35diarrhea, dysentery, fever, and skin infections.

02:43The wood of the rain tree is highly valued for its durability, resistance to decay, and

02:49attractive grain.

02:54It is commonly used in furniture making, construction, and boat building.

03:03The rain tree is a favorite of many animals, including birds, monkeys, and squirrels, who

03:10eat its fruit and use its branches for shelter.

03:14In some areas, it is even considered a pest because of the large amount of fruit it produces,

03:21which can attract rodents and other pests.

03:27Thanks for watching.

03:31Hope you enjoyed watching the video.

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04:01See you in the next video.