Cassia sophora

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub 2-3 m tall. The stems have few hairs. The leaf stalks have a club shaped gland near the base. The leaflets are in 4-10 pairs and they are 2-7 cm long by 0.8-2 cm wide. The flowers are in very short clusters in the axils of upper leaves. The flower stalks are 0.8-2.5 cm long. The petals are yellow and 1-1.5 cm long. The fruit are oblong, thin, slightly curved pods. They are 5-10.5 cm long by 0.6-1.1 cm wide. The pods are divided by partitions. The seeds are grey-brown and rounded. They are 4-4.5 mm long by 3.5-4.5 mm wide. They lie at right angles to the long axis of the pod.

It is not known if they are used for food in Papua New Guinea. There are 100 Cassia species. This group has been revised to a smaller more consistent group. Also as Caesalpinaceae. This name needs clarifying. Possibly Cassia sophera now Senna sophera.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows throughout the tropics.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Tonga, Vietnam

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Leaves contain senna and chrysophanic acid, which are purgative. The bitter element is removed by boiling and washing.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, seeds, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cacay, Jamgli takla, Kashawada, Muong ngot, Poonaverie, Pydee tanghadu, Ran takla

Synonyms

Now Cassia barclayana; Possibly now Senna sophora (L.) Roxburgh;