Pink cassia
Cassia javanica subsp. nodosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 10-20 m tall but can be taller. The leaves are 15-30 cm long. They are compound with 5-13 pairs of leaflets. These are 3-10 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flower groups are 4-10 cm long. The flowers are pink. The fruit is a pod 30-70 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. It is black.

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 needs humus-rich, moist soils. It is damaged by drought and frost. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, East Africa, Ghana, Himalayas, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need treatment to break the hard seed coat before planting.

Its other names

Local names

Bereksa, Bo-cap huong, Dendulang merah, Kala pruk, Mai-lum-awn, Ngok, Ngu, Ngu-sat, Ngu-thien, Saha, Sebusok

Synonyms

Cassia javanica var. indochinensis Gagnep. Cassia nodosa Roxb.;