Cassia fistula, A golden shower ornamental tree

         Color yellow is such an invigorating one.  There are plenty of  plants or trees producing  yellow  flowers  which are exeedingly alluring.  Such plants may be short living herbs   or big trees which last for  years.  Cassia fistula is one such tree producing enchanting yellow blooms, hanging from branches during summer which appear so exhilarating. 

         Cassia fistula, an ornamental tree belongs to family Fabaceae. It is named differently  like Indian laburnum, Golden shower tree,  Pudding pipe tree,  Purging Cassia and others.  They  are grown as a part of landscape or along the street for shade and aesthetics.    Shedding of leaves and profuse blooming of  yellow bunch of flowers starts from late winter or early summer.  Flower not only amuse  humans but also also attract  varieties of  bees, butterflies and moths. It is handy tree and  is at ease to grow in variety of the climates and soils. The tree is native of Indian subcontinent and  adjacent south East Asian  countries. 

          The Cassia fistula is known as  Ehela, a sacred tree, cultivated in premises of Buddist Temples in Srilanka . It is national tree of Thailand and national flower as well.  It   symbolizes   the Thai Royalty. In country like Laos, flower is an  important part of new year celebrations. There the  people  use the flowers for  offering to god and hang them in homes to bring joy  to the families.

         Botanically,  Cassia fistula a medium sized semi deciduous tree, that grows up to the height of 10 to 20 ft.  Leaves are pinnately compound with three to eight pairs of leaflets along the main rachis. The trees produce bunches  of flowers in racemes of 20 to 30 cm long which are  hanging  from branches. Each flowers are with five yellow petals of equal size and shape. Pods produced by  trees are of a foot length  with several seeds.  Leaves are started to shed during April and flower start blooming and continue to bloom till June.

Uses of Cassia fistula

           Cassia fistula is one of the popular avenue trees in various countries which are planted along the meridians of highways. Thus presence of these trees contributing its own way in mitigating vehicular pollution, providing shades and refreshing .the travelers. Its popularity in planting as a part of landscape and gardens and recreation parks is well known.

          Wood of the tree also hard enough to use in constructions and preparation  of  wooden implements.  Use of dried branches can be used as fire wood. Leaves can contribute to bio mass and humus formation. 

           Along with aesthetic importance, the tree of   Cassia fistula reported to have lot of therapeutic properties. It is considered as  rich source of   antioxidants. There is a lot mentioned about use of Cassia fistula, its bark, fruits, flowers and seeds   in Ayurveda and   Unani  kind of  formulations and treatments.  Presence of numerous phyto- chemicals has  made them more beneficial  as restorer of health.

         Thus Cassia fistula  showers the enticing  flowers quite a considerable period of time which last for few months in summer.   It is adding  quite a bit of diversity to nature. Tree has both cultural and   pharmaceutical importance.