Golden Shower Tree

(Cassia fistula)

Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula)

Kenneth Foster

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Kenneth Foster

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Kenneth Foster | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Occurence ID: https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2423550572 | Publisher: Atlas of Living Australia |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Cassia fistula, commonly known as Golden Shower Tree, is a deciduous or semi-deciduous tree native to a variety of habitats including dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and warm coastal areas of South Asia, particularly in India and Sri Lanka extending to Southeast Asia. It grows to a height of 10–20 m (33–66 ft) with a moderate to fast growth rate. The tree is renowned for its spectacular display of pendulous racemes of bright yellow flowers, each 4–7 cm (1+5⁄8–2+3⁄4 in) in diameter, that bloom in late spring to early summer, often obscuring the foliage. The fruit is a cylindrical legume, 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long, with a strong odor when ripe and containing several seeds. The wood of the Golden Shower Tree is noted for its durability.

The Golden Shower Tree is valued for its stunning floral display and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical gardens, parks, and along streets for its ornamental appeal. It is also used in traditional medicine and for its timber. The tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating a range of soil types from clay to sandy loam. It is drought-resistant once established and can tolerate light frosts, though it is vulnerable to prolonged cold. While generally low-maintenance, it can be affected by mildew or leaf spot. It is important to note that Cassia fistula can become invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should be cautious and check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 30-50 feet
Width: 30-50 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous, Semi-Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

native to a variety of habitats including dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and warm coastal areas of South Asia, particularly in India and Sri Lanka extending to Southeast Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Casse-Habitant, Cassia Stick Tree, Cassie, Golden Rain, Pudding-Pipe Tree, Golden Shower, Indian Laburnum, Pudding-Pipe Tree, Purging Cassia, Purging Fistula

Scientific Names: , Cassia fistula, Cassia fistulosa, Cassia fistuloides, Cassia bonplandiana, Cathartocarpus fistula, Bactrilobium fistula, Bactyrilobium fistula, Cassia fistula var. ovata, Cassia rhombifolia

GBIF Accepted Name: Cassia fistula L.