Plant Family: Member of the Mimosaceae family; other members include the Saman Tree (Samanea saman), Powderpuff (Calliander purpurea), and the lowly Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica)

Description: Wide-crowned tree growing to 10 m tall (33 ft); bark rough and dark grey; leaves up to 40 cm long (16 in.), are bipinnate with 2-8 pairs of pinnae, each with 3-12 pairs of leaflets; flower fragrant, cream or greenish yellow; friut a flat shining pod, 15-30 cm long (6-12 in.), which constantly rattles in the wind; thrives in dry locations

Natural Habitat: Thrives in dry, low-rainfall areas of tropics and sub-tropics

Origin and Distribution: Native to India and S.E. Asia; now naturalized throughout the Caribbean

Uses: Tree is often an ornamental; also grown for shade; wood does not readily warp, and the brown timber is used for a wide variety of purposes

Indigenous Legends: Dry fruits constantly rattle in the wind, and from this noise the tree acquired its old, humorous name, ?Woman?s Tongue?.

References:
Dorathy P. Storer. Familiar Trees and Cultivated Plants of Jamaica. London: Macmillan 1964.
H.F. Macmillan. Tropical Planting and Gardening. London: Macmillan 1956