Indian-laburnum (Cassia fistula, Sp. Pl.: 377 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 377 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cassia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Indian Subcontinent to Myanmar

Description

The Indian-laburnum, known scientifically as Cassia fistula, is a remarkable and widely recognized tree native to the Indian Subcontinent, extending its natural habitat to Myanmar. This species, belonging to the Fabaceae family, garners admiration for its striking and vibrant appearance, particularly when in bloom.

Cassia fistula, also referred to as the golden shower tree, is esteemed not only for its aesthetic value but also for its ecological and cultural significance. The tree usually attains a medium size, reaching heights that can comfortably fit into urban and rural landscapes. Come late spring and early summer, the Indian-laburnum dazzles with pendulous clusters of bright yellow flowers, creating a canopy of gold that adds splendor to the environment. Each flower cluster can hang up to about 40 cm (16 inches) long, making it a compelling visual spectacle.

The leaves of the Indian-laburnum are equally noteworthy. They are deciduous and typically arranged in pairs, providing a lush green contrast to the brilliant yellow flowers. These leaves often drop just before the flowering season, allowing the blooms to dominate the visual field without obstruction.

Beyond its beauty, Cassia fistula holds significant cultural value in its native regions. In many parts of India and Southeast Asia, the golden shower tree is associated with various festivals and traditional practices. For example, in Kerala, the flowering of the Indian-laburnum marks the celebration of Vishu, the Indian New Year festival. Similarly, in Thailand, the tree’s bloom coincides with Songkran, the Thai New Year.

Ecologically, the tree is quite resilient and adaptable to a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils and a sunny position where it can thrive best. The tree is drought-tolerant once established, making it a practical and sustainable choice for many environments. Its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and birds enhances its value as a multifunctional species that supports local biodiversity.

Cassia fistula is also recognized for its medicinal properties. Various parts of the plant, including the pods, bark, and leaves, have been traditionally utilized in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a range of ailments such as skin conditions, digestive issues, and more.

The Indian-laburnum’s reference in literature dates back to the 18th century, with its scientific naming and description by renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753. This historical documentation underscores the longstanding recognition of the species’ importance.

In summary, the Indian-laburnum (Cassia fistula) is an iconic tree with multifaceted value—strikingly beautiful in bloom, culturally significant, and ecologically beneficial—solidifying its status as a revered species in its native regions and beyond.

Common Names

Spa: cañafistula | lluvia de oro, cañafístula
Eng: golden shower, indian-laburnum, purging cassia, liquorice plant, indian laburnum, trommelstok, golden-rain, pudding pipe tree, purging fistula
Deu: röhrenkassie
Fra: bâton casse, canéficer, casse fistuleuse
Por: canafistula-verdadeira, chuva-de-ouro, cássia-imperial
Swe: rörkassia
Khm: រាជឆ្ពឹស
En: Indian-laburnum, Golden shower, Purging cassia, Golden Shower Tree, Kalobhur, Liquorice Plant, Indian laburnum, Trommelstok, Golden-rain, Pudding pipe tree, Purging fistula, Cassie, Crown of Gold Tree, Golden Rain, Golden-shower, Pudding-pipe Tree, Purging Cassi, The Indian Laburnum, Pudding-pie-tree, Casse-habitant
Ar: خيار شنبر, Kas
As: সোণাৰু
Az: Borucuqlu səna
Bn: সোনালু
My: ငုပင်
Ca: Canyafístula
Zh: 腊肠树, 阿勒勃
Nl: Indische goudenregen
Fi: Kultasadekassia
Fr: Bâton casse, Casse fistuleuse, Canéficer, Canéficier, Canéfier, Casse, Cassier, Cytise indien, Douche d’or, Faux Caroubier, Faux Séné, Cassé, La Casse, Casse des Antilles, Pluie d’or
De: Röhrenkassie, Röhren-Kassie, Rohrenkassie
Gu: ગરમાળો
Ht: Kas zabitan
He: כסית האבוב
Hi: अमलतास
Id: Tengguli
Jv: Téngguli
Kn: ಕೊಂದೆ
Km: រាជឆ្ពឹស
Ko: 카시아
Ml: കണിക്കൊന്ന
Mr: बहावा
Ne: राजवृक्ष
Or: ସୁନାରି
Pa: ਅਮਲਤਾਸ
Fa: فلوس
Pl: Strączyniec cewiasty
Pt: Cassia, Canafistula-verdadeira, Chuva-de-ouro, Cássia-imperial
Pt-br: Cássia-fístula, Cássia-imperial, Chuva-de-ouro, Cana-fístula
Ru: Кассия трубчатая
Sa: अरग्वदवृक्षः
Sd: املتاس
Es: Cañafístula, Cañafistula | lluvia de oro
Sv: Rörkassia
Zh-tw: 阿勃勒
Ta: கொன்றை
Te: రేల
Th: คูน, ราชพฤกษ์
To: Mafatakikoula
Zh-hant: 阿勒勃
Ur: املتاس
Vi: Muồng hoàng yến

Synonyms

• Cassia fistuloides (Collad.)
• Cassia bonplandiana (DC.)
• Cassia rhombifolia (Roxb.)
• Bactyrilobium fistula ((L.) Willd.)
• Cassia fistula var. ovata (DC.)
• Cathartocarpus excelsus (G.Don)
• Cathartocarpus rhombifolius ((Roxb.) G.Don)
• Cathartocarpus fistula ((L.) Pers.)
• Cathartocarpus fistuloides ((Collad.) G.Don)

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• India (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Laccadive Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Dec 5, 2022 by arik (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Eve Idrissi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2021 by MarKuss sauer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Jean-Marie Tognola (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 3, 2020 by villa vianca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2016 by Alicia Voticky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2019 by Rainbow (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Jean-Marie Tognola (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Jonathan Golan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Eve Idrissi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by martin.laf (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by martin.laf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Zenia Vandrewala (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2021 by Pankaj Agrawal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Jean-Marie Tognola (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jan 31, 2021 by schönerwald Valderez Marie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2021 by Zahra Farshid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Jean-Marie Tognola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2020 by Marques Rodrigo (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2019 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Plantae Curacao (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2020 by rajasekhar pandrangi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5357108)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:484507-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cassia fistula L.)

Specifications

Growth