Samanea (saman)

Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net

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Family Scientific Name:	Fabaceae
Family Common Name:	Legume
Scientific Name:	Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.
Common Synonym:	Albizia saman, Enterolobium saman, Pithecellobium saman
Common Name:	rain tree; monkeypod; tamalini; tamaligi (Samoa); kasia (Tonga); 'ohai (Hawaii), saman, cow tamarind, algarrabo, guango, French tamarind
Ecotype:	savannah, dry tropical forests, and transitional to humid forests
General Distribution:	Native to dry American Tropics (Mexico, Central America, and northern South America). Widely cultivated and naturalized in Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands (so much so that it is often mistaken as indigenous to the area).
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Seedlings have reached target when approximately 20-25 cm in height, stem diameter 9 mm, with well-formed root systems that are not root-bound but that fill out the container.
Propagule Collection:	Can flower and bear seeds throughout the year, although seed production is heaviest in fall through spring. Produces seed pods (fruits) about 10-20 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and about 1 cm thick. Seed pods are often collected from the ground or picked from the tree once mature (dry and brown).
Propagule Processing:	The pods contain a sticky, sweet-flavored pulp that is edible. Seeds must be extracted by hand, washed in water, then dried in the sun. There are 4000-5000 seeds/kg. If free from infesting insects, seeds can be stored in cool, dark conditions in a sealed container for over a year without diminishing viability.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Scarification is by hot water (one minute of near-boiling water, followed by a cool water soak) or mechanical means (a very shallow nick in the seed coat made with a nail clipper, to allow water to penetrate). Scarification is followed by an overnight soaking in clean water. Seeds can then be pregerminated on paper towels or direct sown into containers. Germination is often high, 90% or better. After imbibation of water, germination takes 4-5 days.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Seedlings are grown in full sun in an uncovered growing area. Containers used are SC-10 Super Cell or the Economy Super Cell (both available from Stuewe & Sons), 21 cm (8.25 in) long and 3.8 cm (1.5 in) diameter at the top. A well-drained potting media such as 50% Sunshine peat moss, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, micronutrients, and slow-release fertilizer such as osmocote 14-14-14 is used. Potting media should also be inoculated with VAM (mycorrhizal fungi), available from commercial suppliers and garden centers. Seeds or germinants should also be inoculated with rhizobia bacteria (see below).
Establishment Phase:	Pregerminated seeds are placed in containers filled with premoistened potting media and covered with about 5mm of potting media and a thin layer of mulch (such as #2 poultry grit). Water with a fine-headed sprayer to keep moist. Full sun is best. Daily water isusually necessary, by hand or with an automated system. At seedling time or within 2 weeks of germination, seedlings may be inoculated with rhizobia bacteria (the nitrogen-fixing bacteria), either manufactured or made from nodules.
Length of Establishment Phase:	2 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	Seedlings can be grown in full sun. After about ten weeks, seedlings are double-spaced to prevent leaves from overlapping and to allow maximum penetration of sunlight and air circulation. If seedlings were inoculated with rhizobia bacteria, no additional fertilization will be necessary. If inoculation was unsuccessful, amending with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. If any weeds enter the soil-free media, they should be removed. Monkey pod foliage is often a favorite of defoliating caterpillars and sometimes grasshoppers. A weekly spray with neem oil can make foliage less palatable and reduce problems.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	3 months
Hardening Phase:	Growers should continue to ensure that seedlings receive full sun. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress.
Length of Hardening Phase:	2 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. They are not extracted from their container or stored before shipping. Keeping seedlings in their container is necessary to protect the roots. Containers may be stood up in cardboard boxes, or delivered in trays. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended. Empty containers and trays may be returned after the planting is complete.
References:	Burns, R.M., M.S. Mosquera, and J.L. Whitmore, eds. 1998. Useful Trees of the Tropical Region of North America. North American Forestry Commission Publication Number 3, Washington, DC. Little, Elbert L. and Roger G. Skolmen. 1989. Common Forest Trees of Hawai`i (Native and Introduced). United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 679. Roshetko, J.M. 1995. Albizia saman. NFT Highlights. Winrock International, Morrilton, AR. Vozzo, J.A. (Ed). 2002. Tropical Tree Seed Manual. USDA Agriculture Handbook 721.

Citation:

Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.