BOTANIC DESCRIPTION
Cassia fistula is a medium sized deciduous tree, 10 m tall with a straight trunk to 5 m, 1 m diameter and spreading branches. Stem bark pale grey, smooth and slender when young and dark brown and rough when old. Leaves alternate, pinnate, 30-40 cm long, with 4-8 pairs of ovate leaflets, 7.5-15 cm long, 2-5 cm broad, entire, the petioles 2-6 mm long. Flowers bright yellow in terminal, drooping racemes, 30-60 cm long; calyx oblong, obtuse, pubescent; corolla with five subequal, obovate, shortly clawed petals, to 3.5 cm across; stamens 10, upper three with erect filaments to 0.7 cm long and with basifixed anthers; lower three curved and filaments with dorsifixed anthers and the median four stamens with erect filaments, to 1 cm long and with versatile, curved anthers; pistil sessile or stalked, ovary pubescent, style to 0.5 cm long and with terminal stigma.
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m)) |
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| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
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| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular, Open |
| Maximum Height | 10 m to 18 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Sri Lanka |
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| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
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| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
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| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Medium-sized tree with irregular crown. Deciduous, tree sheds leaves every 8 - 10 months, especially when flowering. |
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| Foliage | Leaves pinnately-compound, consisting of 3 - 8 pairs of opposite leaftlets. |
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| Flowers | Bright yellow, fragrant, produced in long pendulous clusters, 30 - 50 cm in length, attractive to insects and butterflies. |
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Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day) |
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| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides |
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| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
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Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting, Butterfly Host Plant, Butterfly-Attracting |
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| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
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| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
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| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Diseases | Mildew, leaf spot, root rot diseases. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Marcotting |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
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| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
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| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit, Pod |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous |
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| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
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| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
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| Foliar Type | Compound (Even-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ), Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Tree - Open Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
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| Bark Colour(s) | Grey |
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| Mature Bark Texture | Smooth |
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| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
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| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
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| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flowering Period | A Few Times Yearly |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
USES :
Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds
Food (Herb or Spice)
Medicinal:
Nearly all parts of the plant have medicinal properties, used to treat a variety of ailments ranging from pimples, burns, wounds and colds to cancer. Seed pods and leaves used to treat diabetes and liver problems. Pulp from seed pod well-known for its mild laxative properties and used to relieve constipation. Timber & Products: Strong wood used to make cabinets, wheels, posts, mortars and firewood.
