Coral shower, Horse Cassia
Cassia grandis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A semi-evergreen tree. It loses some of its leaves in the dry season. It grows 20-30 m high. It spreads 5 m wide. The leaves are glossy olive green. They have a fringe of hairs along the edge. The leaves are made up of 14-42 leaflets. The flowers are in upright panicles. These are 20 cm long. They are pink. The fruit are large swollen black pods. These can be 45 cm long.

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 is native to C. and S. America. It is best in rich, moist, well-drained soils. It needs a protected sunny position. In Central America it grows from sea level to 800 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antilles, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Laos, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mexico, Myanmar, Nauru, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten. It is used in a drink made by cooking the pulp with milk. CAUTION: It can be a laxative. It should only be eaten in small amounts.

Edible parts

Pod pulp, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. The seeds need treatment to break the hard seed coat.

Its other names

Local names

Appleblossom cassia, Canadonga, Canafistula, Carao, Kalaa-phruek, Kotek mamak, Ngu-padamya, Nguzat-gyi, O moi, Pink shower, Sandal, Sandalo, Stinking toe, Trembalo-wang-wang

Synonyms

Bactyrilobium grande Hornem.; Bactyrilobium molle Schrad.; Cassia brasiliana Lam.; Cassia brasiliana var. tomentosa Miq.; Cassia brasiliensis Buc’hoz; Cassia mollis Vahl; Cassia pachycarpa de Wit; Cassia regia Standl.; Cathartocarpus brasilianus (Lam.) Jacq.; Cathartocarpus erubescens Ham.; Cathartocarpus grandis (L.f.) Pers.;