Cassia fistula

Family: Fabaceae

Common name: Golden shower tree

Cassia fistula is a small to medium-sized tree with an upright growth habit, often open at the top. It is best known for its striking display of bright yellow flowers that bloom profusely during May and June. The tree has even pinnate compound leaves, with 4 to 8 pairs of ovate-lanceolate leaflets per leaf. The leaves typically drop in April, giving the tree a semi-deciduous or semi-evergreen appearance. The flowers, which are lightly scented, bloom in pendulous terminal racemes, covering the tree in a brilliant yellow bloom. After flowering, the tree produces slender, woody bean pods that grow long. These pods start green but mature to black, remaining on the tree until the following year.

Cassia fistula is commonly used as an ornamental plant due to its attractive yellow flowers. The flower extracts are known for their anti-aging properties and are used in cosmetics and nutritional products. The fruit pulp of the tree is considered a purgative, and the sticky brown pulp inside the pods has been utilized in herbal medicines. The dried fruit is also recognized for its medicinal properties, making the tree popular both as an ornamental plant and for its use in traditional herbal remedies.