Chamaecrista pumila

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A low lying herb. It grows 20-40 cm tall and spreads 0.5-1 m wide. The stems arise from a woody rootstock. The leaves are 1 cm long. There are 10-15 pairs of leaflets. These are about 1 cm long and very narrow. The flowers are 2 cm across. The occur singly in the axils of upper leaves. The flowers are yellow. The pods are 2-2.5 cm long by 0.5 cm wide 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

It is a tropical plant. It grows in arid areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Muong dat, Muong lun, Nallajiluga, Nelatagache, Sarmal

Synonyms

Cassia prostrata Roxb.; Cassia pumila Lam.; Chamaecrista pumila (Lam.) V. Singh; Senna prostrata Roxb.;