In a Kipling story, a host invites guest to "sit under the
sisham."

sisham
Noun 1. sisham - East Indian tree whose leaves are used for fodder; yields a compact dark brown durable timber used in shipbuilding and making railroad ties
Dalbergia sissoo, sissoo, sissu
Dalbergia, genus Dalbergia - large genus of tropical trees having pinnate leaves and paniculate flowers and cultivated commercially for their dramatically grained and colored timbers
tree - a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

Well, the fact that it includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms automatically makes this a very fascinating plant. I'll go Google some images...