Understanding the Monkeypod Tree

Main Points to Remember

The name 'Monkeypod tree' might seem unusual, conjuring up an image of a sci-fi tree that grows monkeys instead of leaves. However, this is far from reality! In fact, the Monkeypod tree is a common species and has little to do with monkeys.

The monkeypod tree can grow to impressive sizes, reaching heights of 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 meters), with a broad umbrella-like canopy. The canopy is what makes this tree unique. Typically, it spans about 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter, but can expand up to 200 feet (61 meters) when the tree is very old [source: Flores]. The canopy thrives best when the tree has space to spread out in an open area. Due to its expansive canopy, the monkeypod tree is an excellent choice for providing shade.

Monkeypod trees are commonly planted in pastures, along roadsides, or even in parking lots to offer shade. The tree produces pink flowers that resemble puffed powder. These flowers are pollinated by insects, which then produce edible seed pods ranging from 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) long.

Some believe the monkeypod tree got its name because monkeys gather on its branches to feast on the sweet seed pods. Others argue that the name comes from one of the tree's scientific names, Pithecellobium, which translates to 'monkey earring' in Greek [source: Skolmen].

The tree is known by several different names. Aside from monkeypod, it is widely called the rain tree. This name likely stems from the fact that the grass beneath the monkeypod tree stays green, even during droughts. This is partly because the tree’s leaves curl and close at night, allowing rain to more easily reach the ground. There are other factors as well. The large canopy keeps the ground cool and shaded. Additionally, the tree enriches the soil with nitrogen from its seed pod droppings, which promotes the growth of greener grass. Nitrogen is a crucial element for plant growth, as it is a primary component of chlorophyll. Another reason it's called a rain tree is that when the tree blooms heavily, the stamens from its flowers sometimes fall to the ground like raindrops.

In Latin America, the monkeypod tree is known as the saman tree, deriving from its botanical name Samanea saman. In the Philippines, it is referred to as mimosa, which comes from the family name mimosoideae.

Turn to the next page to discover more about the monkeypod tree, including details on its growth patterns, its ideal environment, and the surprising reason why one company paid over $4 million for the rights to a single tree.

Monkeypod Tree Growth and Development

Native to Central and South America, the monkeypod tree is found from Mexico to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. The tree disperses its seeds naturally through birds and rodents. Today, it thrives across the tropics, as well as in parts of the United States and its territories. You can spot monkeypod trees in places like Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It’s a resilient and weather-tolerant tree that adapts well to various climates.

While the monkeypod tree can thrive in many different climates, it favors tropical and seasonally dry conditions. It can endure several months of dryness but can also grow in areas with consistent rainfall. It prefers temperatures between 68 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 38 degrees Celsius) and can withstand a minimum temperature of about 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). However, it cannot handle frost or saltwater spray [source: Staples and Elevitch].

A monkeypod tree grows at a moderate pace, typically 2.5 to 5 feet (0.7 to 1.5 meters) each year. How does that compare to other trees you might know? For instance, a sugar maple grows at a rate of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 meters) annually, while a white pine tree typically grows at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) or more per year [source: Arbor Day Foundation].

The leaves of the monkeypod tree are diamond-shaped and green. As a semi-deciduous tree, its leaves fall off temporarily during the dry season, only to regrow once moisture levels improve. In some climates, the tree may appear to keep its foliage year-round due to rapid re-foliation.

Monkeypod trees bloom seasonally, typically starting at the end of the dry season when leaves and previous seed pods drop. New foliage emerges at the same time as the flowers. The peak flowering period is usually in spring, although the tree may have flowers in almost any month. In its native regions of Central and South America, flowering occurs from January to May, while in Hawaii, it typically happens in April and May. In Thailand, the tree experiences two flowering seasons — from February to May and again from September to November [source: Staples and Elevitch].

The monkeypod flowers resemble pink powder puffs, with around two dozen small pink flowers gathered on a pinkish cluster. These flower heads range from 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6 centimeters) across and feature long red and white stamens. The stamens are the pollen-producing parts of the flower. The center of each flower head produces nectar to attract pollinators.

After pollination, the monkeypod tree develops its fruit — the seed pods. These pods begin green and mature to a brownish-black color. They are ridged and lumpy, and the shape of the seeds inside is visible. The pods range from 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) long, sometimes straight, and other times curling at the ends. When you crack open a pod, you'll find the seeds along with a sticky, sweet pulp. Typically, there are 15 to 20 seeds per pod, and both the pulp and seeds are edible, offering a licorice-like flavor [source: Flores].

The average lifespan of a monkeypod tree is about 80 to 100 years [source: Staples and Elevitch].

Keep reading to discover what else the monkeypod tree offers, beyond its natural beauty, of course.

Uses for the Monkeypod Tree

The monkeypod tree isn't just a stunning sight – it also 'gives back' by offering everything from shade to natural remedies and even furniture. Let's explore some of the ways people use the monkeypod tree.

Monkeypod trees are prized for their wood, a durable hardwood with a straight grain and coarse texture, which makes it easy to carve and less likely to dry out or crack. Because these trees often have large trunks, their wood is highly favored for furniture making. Given that monkeypod trees grow relatively quickly and easily, their wood is considered an eco-friendly option, with harvested trees able to be replenished quickly. In Hawaii, hand-carved monkeypod bowls are particularly popular with both locals and tourists, and a quick internet search will reveal hundreds, if not thousands, for sale. Additionally, the wood's fibrous quality makes it suitable for paper production.

Another reason people plant monkeypod trees is for the shade they provide. With the large, expansive canopy they develop, these trees require plenty of space, making them unsuitable for smaller home or urban landscapes. However, in their native regions, monkeypod trees are frequently planted along streets, in parks, and other public spaces. They're also commonly used as shade for crops like coffee, cacao, and vanilla.

The monkeypod tree is also beneficial for enriching the surrounding soil with nitrogen. As its leaves, flowers, and seed pods fall and decompose, they contribute nitrogen-rich matter to the soil. This process, known as 'nitrogen fixing,' helps nourish and stabilize the soil [source: Elevitch and Wilkinson].

The tree's seed pods are also quite versatile. Children love the licorice-flavored pulp inside the pods, and in some parts of the Caribbean, the tree is even known as the licorice tree [source: Staples and Elevitch]. The pulp can be made into a refreshing lemonade-like drink, much like tamarind, a popular beverage in tropical regions. Artisans often dry the seeds and use them to craft necklaces and other items of jewelry.

Monkeypod seeds are also a great option for livestock feed. This has the added benefit of helping to spread the seeds, as they return to the earth after passing through the digestive system of the animal that consumes them. Researchers believe this process plays a role in how the monkeypod tree has spread to various habitats.

Monkeypod trees are associated with several folk remedies. In Venezuela, people use a root decoction in hot baths as a treatment for stomach cancer. A decoction involves mashing the root and steeping it in hot or boiling water to release its compounds. Drinking an infusion of the leaves, much like tea, is said to have a laxative effect. The alcoholic extract of the tree's leaves is also known to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Additionally, some people chew the astringent seeds to alleviate sore throats [source: National Tropical Botanical Garden].

Simón Bolívar (1783 - 1830), a Spanish general renowned for his role in liberating five South American countries – Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia – is said to have once camped with his entire army under a monkeypod tree near Maracay, Venezuela. The tree has since become famous in Venezuela, where it is referred to as the "saman de guerra" [source: Duke].