Cassia, Golden Shower
Cassia fistula

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A deciduous or evergreen tree. It grows to 9-20 m high and spreads 3-5 m wide. The stem is erect and slender. Sometimes it has small buttresses. The leaves are 45-60 cm long and divided with 6-16 leaflets which are 15 cm long and 4-9 cm wide. The leaflets are wedge shaped at the base. The leaves are bright green. The leaf stalk is 7-10 cm long. The flowers are yellow and have a smell. They occur in long drooping sprays which can be 20-40 cm long. The flowers are 4 cm across. The fruit are brown pods. These can be 20-60 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide. They are black and smooth. The seeds are brown and glossy. They are 1.3 cm long and flattened.

There are 100 Cassia species. This group has been revised to a smaller more consistent group. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to India. It prefers a rich well drained soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. Plants need a temperature above 16°C for growth. It grows all over India up to 1500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Cambodia, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Ethiopia, Grenada, Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Singapore, Sikkim, South America, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves and flower buds are cooked as a vegetable. The leaves are chopped small before cooking. The flowers are fried. The pulp of the pods is eaten but not the seeds. CAUTION: The pod pulp is a purgative but safe. It is only eaten in small quantities. The pulp is used as an ingredient in spiced Indian tobacco.

The leaves are eaten in Africa. It is cultivated. It is unknown whether they are used in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, pod pulp, fruit, spice

How it is grown

The plants are grown from seed. The seed need to have the hard seed coat broken. This can be done by boiling them for a few minutes before sowing. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

It is fairly slow growing. Trees start flowering when 5 years old.

Its other names

Local names

Ai-kadus, Alash, Ali, Amaltas, Amultas, Anmalthassh, Bahava, Bahawa, Banag, Banar lauri, Bandarlauri, Bangru, Bereska, Bhungadu, Bo-cap nuoc, Cana fistola, Cana pistula, Chaiya-pruek, Dhanbahera, Garmala, Gawkngu, Girimalah, Girmala, Golden rain tree, Golden rain, Guayaba cimarrona, Guolong liang, Honaru, Indian Laburnum, Kakke, Kanikkonna, Ka-zo, Khuun, Kiar, Kirwara, Konnai, Konnei, Koon, Koonna, Lom leng, Mai-lum, Muong hoang yen, Ngu, Ngu-gyi, Ngu-shwe, Ngushwe-ama, Phung-ril, Poe yow, Pohon trangguli, Pudding-pipe tree, Purging Cassia, Pwabet, Rajah kayu, Rajataru, Rajbrikh, Rajbriksh, Rajbrikshya, Rajvriksha, Rela, Riechpuhs, Sarakkondrai, Shonaru, Sonarkhi pump, Sonalu, Sonaru, Sondali, Sunari, Sundali, Suvarnaka, Trengguli

Synonyms

Bactyrilobium fistula Willd.; Cassia bonplandiana DC.; Cassia excelsa Kunth; Cassia fistuloides Collad.; Cassia rhombifolia Roxb.; Cathartocarpus excelsus G. Don; Cathartocarpus fistula Pers.; Cathartocarpus fistuloides (Collad.) G. Don; Cathartocarpus rhombifolius G. Don;