Belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, the species Cassia fistula is commonly known as Golden Shower Tree and is a native species belonging to the Indian subcontinent and regions of southeast Asia. It is the national tree and national flower of Thailand; the state flower of Kerala, India; and the provincial flower of North Central Province, Sri Lanka.
A popular attractive ornamental tree, it is a medium to large tree growing up to 8 metres, producing masses of bright golden flowers in clusters. The tree is said to appear less attractive through the year when it has few or no leaves and the “big beans” (seed pods) have a smelly odour.
Introduced to Australia, it has naturalised in northern, central and south-eastern Queensland, near Darwin in the north-western parts of the Northern Territory and the northern parts of Western Australia.
Cassia fistula is used in herbal medicine. The pulp around the beans (in the long pods) was/is the source of cascara a traditional purgative known to both eastern medicine and western pharmacology (see footnote for more information and reference).2
The Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula) is reported as a toxic plant for dogs and cats. All parts of Golden Shower Tree contain toxins, that will lead to symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset. Immediate veterinary care is crucial for poisoning cases.
Whilst it is found in tropical and subtropical areas, it also grows well in dry climates, being relatively drought-tolerant. In many areas it is found growing like weeds in the Northern Territory, including Batchelor, Channel Island, Holmes Jungle, Howard Springs, and Adelaide River town (an invasive weed right across northern Australia).
The images here are from Alice Springs in Central Australia.
Common name
Golden Shower, Golden Shower Tree, Golden Rain Tree, Indian laburnum, Pudding-pipe Tree, Purging Cassia, Amaltas (Hindi name), Aragbadha (Sanskrit name).
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Rosids
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Genus: Cassia
- Species: Cassia fistula
Footnote & References
- Many thanks to Jamie Lewis and Louise Finch for their input about the invasive nature and uses of this species, member of NT Field Naturalists’ Club Inc, https://www.facebook.com/groups/ntfieldnaturalistsclub/
- Cassia fistula, Some Magnetic Island Plants, https://www.somemagneticislandplants.com.au/cascara
- Cassia fistula, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia_fistula (last visited Dec. 15, 2021)
- Grow me instead, A Guide for Gardeners in Northern Territory, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia, http://www.growmeinstead.com.au/public/GMI-brochure-Northern-Territory.pdf
- Cassia fistula, Weeds of Australia, https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/cassia_fistula.htm
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