Chamaecrista absus

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 5 m high and spreads 3 m wide. The stem is slender and erect. The branches are spreading. The leaves are alternate and have 4 triangle shaped leaflets. They are 2.5 cm long. The flowers are yellow. They are in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are long, flat, pointed pods.

There are 100 Cassia species. This group has been revised to a smaller more consistent group of about 30 species. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It will grow in most soils. They need to be well-drained. It is damaged by frost or drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Mozambique, North Africa (country/location of origin), Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The raw pods are eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Pods, leaves, seed, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. The seeds need treatment before planting.

Its other names

Local names

Chaksi, Chaksu, Chanupala vittulu, Chimar, Inhambane, Karinkolla, Kattukanam, Manica, Maputo, Mulaippal-virai, Piri musuri ara, Sofala, Supal vel, Tete

Synonyms

Cassia absus L.; Cassia babylonica Schrank; Cassia coccinea Wall.; Cassia exigua Roxb.; Cassia foliolis L.; Cassia thonningii DC.; Cassia viscida Zoll.; Grimaldia absus (L.) Link; Senna absus (L.) Roxb.; Senna exigua Roxb.; Senna quadrifolia Burm.;