Forest & Kim Starr
Family
Fabaceae
Botanical Name
CASSIA fistula
Plant Common Name
Golden Shower, Indian Laburnum
General Description
Spectacular in flower, the golden shower tree sheds most of its leaves to highlight the many pendent yellow strings of flowers in spring and summer. Native to southern Asia, it is a semi-deciduous tropical tree that is somewhat slow-growing, attaining an open but broad canopy.
The short trunk has pale smooth to platy bark, while the leaves are bright green and pinnate, having many small leaflets arranged on a petiole leaf stem. The leaves emerge slightly downy and silver in color before greening and thickening. The shedding of oldest foliage occurs just in time for the beginning of flowering in springtime, as drooping strings of lightly fragrant golden to bright yellow buds and flowers decorate the branches. The display of flowers typically culminates around the summer solstice. After insects pollinate the blossoms, long dark brown pods begin to develop, taking a year to fully mature and split to release the many dark salmon-orange seeds that are nestled in a sticky pulp that is delectable to monkeys and birds.
Grow golden shower tree in a fertile, well-draining soil that is not strongly alkaline in full sun. Once established, it has great drought tolerance and can handle protected seaside locations. Ensure the tree has adequate watering and fertilization to attain the best form with its wide-spreading branches. After the spring and early summer flowering, pruning off the spent flowers can result in second blooming in the autumn. In subtropical regions that have a marked cool and dry winter, leaf drop can occur well before the usual springtime drop as the flowers appear.
The heartwood is reddish in color and is very hard and durable, often used for cabinets and construction. This is one of the world’s prettiest flowering trees and is breathtaking when used as a lawn specimen, lining a street or in a public park where it is sure to attract attention and smiles.
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Yellow, Gold
-
Fruit Color
Dark Salmon, Sienna, Chocolate
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Silver
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
-
Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray, Slate Gray
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
-
Showy Bark
No
