GOLDEN SHOWER TREE

Cassia fistula:

Family: Cassia fistula belongs to the Legumes family.

Common Name: It is commonly known as Amaltaas in Hindi.

Flowering period: Amaltaas flowers from March to July.

Habitat: Cassia fistula is native to India and grows well in the Indian climate.

Uses: It is mostly used as an ornamental plant. Cassia fistula is also used in the treatment of cancer, constipation, convulsions, delirium, diarrhea, dysuria, epilepsy, gravel, hematuria, pimples and glandular tumors. The bark and leaves are used to treat skin diseases and cardiac problems.

Key features: It is one of the most beautiful tropical trees, especially when it sheds all its leaves and bursts into a mass of long grape-bunches like yellow gold flowers. It is usually used as an ornamental tree and has a bark made of hard reddish wood. The tree can grow upto 40 feet tall and has hard and heavy wood used for cabinet and inlay work. The flowers strongly attract insects like bees and butterflies. The fruits are dark brown cylindrical pods that hold flattish brown seeds, with upto 100 seeds in a pod. These pods are mostly eaten by bears. The pod is divided into several cells, each of which contains a single seed. The flower of this tree is Thailand’s national symbol and this flower is also the state flower of Kerala.