Albizia Saman
/ælˈbɪziə ˈsæmən/noun
A tropical tree species, commonly called the rain tree, now generally classified as Samanea saman.
Did you know?Albizia is not an invented magical word: the genus was named after Filippo degli Albizzi, an 18th-century Italian nobleman associated with introducing the silk tree to Europe.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
Caribbean botanical usage
saman
“A local or vernacular name recorded for the tropical tree; its ultimate linguistic source is uncertain.”
1760s
Latin botanical nomenclature
Mimosa saman
“An early scientific combination used for the species by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin.”
18th Century
Latin
Albizia
“A genus name formed from the surname Albizzi, honoring Filippo degli Albizzi.”
19th Century
Latin botanical nomenclature
Samanea saman
“A later generic placement recognizing the tree as distinct from Mimosa.”
20th Century
Latin botanical nomenclature
Albizia saman
“A combination placing the species in the genus Albizia; this name has also been used as a synonym.”
Modern English
English
rain tree
“The common name for the species, associated with water droplets and sugary insect secretions falling from its canopy.”