Smooth Cassia
Cassia floribunda

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to 3 m tall. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaflets are oval or sword shaped. They are 20 cm long. There are glands on the stalk between the leaflets. Flowers are yellow. The occur in groups in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a pod. It is like a cylinder.

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

Where it is found

It grows in Nepal between 700-2200 m altitude. It is a subtropical plant. It needs well-composted, moist, well-drained soils. It is damaged by frost or drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

America, Asia, Australia, Central America, Guatemala, Himalayas, Indonesia, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Seeds used for coffee. The tender fruits are cooked as a vegetable. The young shoots and leaves are steamed and used as a potherb. They are also cooked in soups and stews. The unripe seeds are cooked or roasted and eaten with rice.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, pods, seeds - coffee

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Bankola, Bhatte, Chhinchhie, Smooth senna, Tajumas

Synonyms

Cassia laevigata Willdenow;