The Monkey Pod Tree From Chapter 46

     I mention a Monkey pod tree in my novel,
Penniless Hearts and wanted to share some of the interesting facts associated
with this particular tree. It has many names but people often call it a
Rain tree because it has rain-forest type good looks and also because the leaves curl
up at night so the rain can fall on the ground feeding the plants or grass
below. It features pink and white flowers and long carob-looking pods that
taste like licorice. The grayish trunks are all tangled like a Banyan tree
but the foliage and leaves grow up very high, to over 100 ft. They look like
they’d make super cool tree houses and in some parts of Central and South America
the monkeys feel very much at home in them.( I think I saw a bunch of monkeys
living in one when I visited Costa Rica.)








Introduced to
the Hawaiian Islands in 1847, the wood makes exquisite souvenir bowls, tiki
carvings and furniture but generally the greatest part is the bountiful shade! Sometimes
you’ll also see the seeds used in floral leis.




In case you’re thinking of growing
one of these fast growing trees, just remember they only grow fast if the
temperature is nice and there’s no shade or frost around. Once grown, the
canopy provides lovely shade for large picnics but watch out for the honeybees
that are always busy thanks to this gorgeous member of the pea family.









Love Hawaii? Read Penniless Hearts by:clicking here.