Mysore Thorn, Shoofly
Caesalpinia decapetala

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

Caesalpinia decapetala is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Hedges and open bushy places. Swampy localities and ravines to 1800 metres.

E. Asia - Himalayas to China.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

Anthelmintic, antiperiodic, astringent, febrifuge. The leaves are emmenagogue and laxative. They are applied externally to burns. The root is purgative.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Other

Rating: 2

The bark is a rich source of tannin. Plants are often grown as field boundaries in Nepal. An excellent hedge plant. However, due to its doubtful hardiness it is not a good candidate for this use in Britain. Wood - moderately hard. Environmental Uses include: Agroforestry; Boundary, barrier or support; Soil improvement. It is used as an Ornamental.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Hedge: Hedge

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Requires a sunny position, succeeding in any moderately fertile well-drained soil including limy soils. This species is on the borderline of hardiness in Britain. However, C. japonica, which is considered to be no more than a variety of this species by many botanists, succeeds on a wall at Wisley to the west of London and is said to be hardy to about -10°c. Its natural range is Japan where it grows at heights up to 2000 metres on rocky mountain slopes in the cooler regions of the country. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. It has a special soil tolerance for shallow soils.

Propagating it: Seed - pre-soak for 12 - 24 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in early spring. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Softwood cuttings in sand in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

This plant can be weedy or invasive. Introduced to Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawai‘i, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, Kenya and South Africa. It has become a seriously problematic invasive species in many locations. A category 1 weed in South Africa where it is invasive in forest edges and clearings, in manged plantations and along roads and rivers/streams. In Australia, it is classed as a noxious weed (category W2) in New South Wales, where legislation states that it must be completely controlled and destroyed, and is prohibited in Western Australia until a weed risk assessment has been completed.

Its other names

Local names

Cat’s claws; cat's-claw; Mauritius-thorn; thorny poinciana; wait-a-bit; wait-a-while; woody wait-a-while. Spanish: agarra ladrón; chembé bolé; chícara cimarrona; zarza de cercas. French: brésillet du Japon; césalpinie du Japon. Chinese: yun shi. Australia: Mauritius thorn; shoofly; tiger stopper; whoa back. Germany: Cäsalpinie, Japanische; Mauritius-dorn. Haiti: chembe bolo; ti-janvier; tijavier. Indian Punjab: aila; chillari; gilo; karur; kurutu-gajjika; relan. Indonesia: areuy matahiyang gunung. Italy: cesalpinia giapponese. Japan: jaketsu-ibara. Lesser Antilles: arrête-boeuf; caniroc. Myanmar: sukyanbo. Nusa Tenggara: secang lembut. South Africa: kraaldoring (Afrikaans); ubobo-encane (Zulu); ufenisi. Thailand: kamchai. Vietnam: vu'ôt hùm.

Synonyms

C. sepiaria. Roxb.