80.2.6.163 at 20:33, 18 May 2024

2024-05-18T20:33:21Z

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{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{redirect|Canafistula|text=This can also refer to ''[[Pseudalbizzia inundata]]'' (Maloxo)}}
{{redirect|Golden shower}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Golden shower tree.jpg
| image_caption = Golden shower tree in bloom
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn | author1 = Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) | author2 = IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group | name-list-style = amp | title = ''Cassia fistula'' | page = e.T136142327A136142329 | year = 2018 | access-date = 7 May 2022}}</ref>
| taxon = Cassia fistula
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
| synonyms =
{{Plainlist | style = margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; |
*''Bactyrilobium fistula'' Willd.
*''Cassia bonplandiana'' DC.
*''Cassia excelsa'' Kunth
*''Cassia fistuloides'' Collad.
*''Cassia rhombifolia'' Roxb.
*''Cathartocarpus excelsus'' G.Don
*''Cathartocarpus fistula'' Pers.
*''Cathartocarpus fistuloides'' (Collad.) G.Don
*''Cathartocarpus rhombifolius'' G.Don
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/ild-1022
|title=The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species
|access-date=June 19, 2014}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Golden shower tree in Malappuram.jpg|alt=Blossomed golden shower tree in Kerala|thumb|Blossomed golden shower tree]]
'''''Cassia fistula''''', also known as '''golden shower''',<ref>{{PLANTS|id=CAFI3|taxon=Cassia fistula|access-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> '''purging cassia''',<ref name=BSBI07>{{BSBI 2007 |access-date=2014-10-17 }}</ref> '''Indian laburnum''',<ref>{{GRIN | access-date = April 2, 2019}}</ref> '''Kani Konna''',<ref name="kani-konna">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/early-konna-blooms-in-kochi-set-off-alarm-bells/article26262332.ece|date=February 14, 2019|title=Early konna blooms in Kochi set off alarm bells}}</ref> or '''pudding-pipe tree''',<ref name="Saunders 1891">U. S. Department of Agriculture, William Saunders; Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture; Washington D. C.; June 5, 1891</ref> is a [[flowering plant]] in the family [[Fabaceae]]. The species is native to the [[Indian subcontinent]] and adjacent regions of [[Southeast Asia]]. It is the official [[floral emblem|state flower]] of [[Kerala]] state in [[India]].<ref name="kani-konna"/> It is also a popular [[ornamental plant]] and is also used in [[Herbalism|herbal medicine]].

==Description==
The golden shower tree is a medium-sized tree, growing to {{convert|10|–|20|m|abbr=on}} tall with fast growth. The leaves are [[deciduous]], {{convert|15|–|60|cm|0|abbr=on}} long, and pinnate with three to eight pairs of leaflets, each leaflet {{convert|7|–|21|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|4|–|9|cm|abbr=on|frac=2}} broad. The flowers are produced in pendulous [[raceme]]s {{convert|20|–|40|cm|0|abbr=on}} long, each flower {{convert|4|–|7|cm|abbr=on|frac=8}} diameter with five yellow petals of equal size and shape. The fruit is a [[legume]], {{convert|30|–|60|cm|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.5|–|2.5|cm|frac=16|abbr=on}} broad, with a pungent odor and containing several seeds. The tree has strong and very durable wood, and has been used to construct "Ehela Kanuwa", a site at [[Adam's Peak]], [[Sri Lanka]], which is made of ''C. fistula'' (''ahala, ehela'', or ''aehaela'', ඇහැල in Sinhala <ref>[http://dh-web.org/place.names/bot2sinhala.html#Aehaela sinhala botany website ]</ref>) heartwood. The golden shower tree is not a nitrogen fixer.<ref name="CABIISC">{{cite web | url=http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/11434 | first1=Marianne Jennifer | last1=Datiles | first2=Pedro | last2=Acevedo-Rodríguez | title=''Cassia fistula'' (Indian laburnum)| website=[[Invasive Species Compendium]] (ISC) | publisher=CABI ([[Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International]])}}</ref>

==Cultivation==
''Cassia fistula'' is widely grown as an [[ornamental plant]] in tropical and subtropical areas. It blooms in late spring/early summer in hot, dry weather. Flowering is profuse, with trees being covered with yellow flowers, many times with almost no visible leaves. It grows well in dry climates. Growth for this tree is best in full sun on well-drained soil; it is relatively drought-tolerant and slightly salt-tolerant. It will tolerate light brief frost, but can get damaged if the cold persists. It can be subject to [[mildew]] or [[leaf spot]], especially during the second half of the growing season. The tree blooms better with pronounced differences between summer and winter temperatures.<ref name="ayer">
{{citation
|url = http://www.4to40.com/ayurveda/index.asp?p=Cassia_Fistula&c=Herbs&k=Ahala_Kanuwa
|title = Cassia Fistula (aburnum, Purging Fistula, Golden Shower, Amaltas)
|publisher = 4 to 40
|work = Ayurveda - Herbs
|access-date = 2011-01-20
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714110438/http://www.4to40.com/ayurveda/index.asp?p=Cassia_Fistula&c=Herbs&k=Ahala_Kanuwa
|archive-date = 2011-07-14
}}</ref>

==Pollinators and seed dispersal==
Various species of bees and butterflies are known to be pollinators of ''C. fistula'' flowers, especially [[carpenter bee]]s (''Xylocopa'' sp.).<ref>Murali, KS (1993) Differential reproductive success in Cassia fistula in different habitats—A case of pollinator limitations? In: Current Science (Bangalore), 65 (3). pp. 270-272.</ref> In 1911, [[Robert Scott Troup]] conducted an experiment to determine how the seeds of ''C. fistula'' are dispersed. He found that [[golden jackal]]s feed on the fruits and help in seed dispersal.<ref>Troup, R.S. (1911).Silviculture of Indian Trees. Published under the authority of His Majesty's Secretary of State for India in Council. Oxford Clarendon Press</ref>

==Uses==

===Food===
In India, flowers of the golden shower tree are sometimes eaten by people. The leaves have also been used to supplement the diets of cattle, sheep, and goats fed with low-quality forages.<ref>Heuzé V., Thiollet H., Tran G., Hassoun P., Lebas F., 2018. Golden tree (Cassia fistula). Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/325</ref>

===Medical===
In [[Ayurvedic medicine]], the golden shower tree is known as ''aragvadha'', meaning "disease killer". The fruit pulp is considered a [[purgative]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice |first=Sebastian |last=Pole |publisher=Singing Dragon |year=2012 |isbn=978-1848191136 |page=129 |access-date=November 10, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yKaVpwB7USYC&q=purgative+aragvadha&pg=PA129}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Materia Medica Of Ayurveda |first=Vaidya |last=Bhagwan Dash |publisher=[[B. Jain]] |location=India |year=2002 |isbn= 9788170214939|pages=41–42 |access-date=November 10, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i-IU3D6Cl3sC&q=purgative+aragvadha&pg=PA41}}</ref> and [[self-medication]] or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts. Though it has been used in [[herbalism]] for millennia, little research has been conducted in modern times, although it is an ingredient in some mass-produced herbal laxatives. When used as such, it is known as "cassia pods".<ref name="Saunders 1891" />

In India, a cathartic made from the pulp is sometimes added to tobacco.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hargreaves|first1=Dorothy|last2=Hargreaves|first2=Bob|title=Tropical Trees of the Pacific|year=1970|publisher=Hargreaves|location=Kailua, Hawaii|page=14}}</ref>

A paste of the flowers is used as an ointment for pimples.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

==Culture==
''Cassia fistula'' is both the [[List of national trees|national tree]] and [[Floral emblem#Thailand|national flower]] of Thailand – in Thai ''ratchaphruek'' (Thai: ราชพฤกษ์) and the blossoms commonly referred to as ''dok khun'' (Thai: ดอกคูน).<ref name="ASEANnationalflowers">{{Cite web |title=ASEAN National Flowers |publisher=[[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN) |url=http://www.asean.org/18204.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120052549/http://www.asean.org/18204.htm |archive-date=20 January 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy}}</ref> Its yellow flowers symbolize [[Chakri Dynasty|Thai royalty]]. A 2006–2007 flower festival, the [[Royal Flora Ratchaphruek]], was named after the tree. ''Cassia fistula'' is also featured on a 2003 joint [[Canada|Canadian]]-Thai design for a 48-[[Canadian cent|cent]] stamp, part of a series featuring [[national emblem]]s.<ref name="ayer"/>

The Indian laburnum is the [[floral emblem|state flower]] of [[Kerala]]. The flowers are of ritual importance in the [[Vishu]] festival of Kerala.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Goldenshower_8812.aspx |title= State Flower Golden shower |publisher= ENVIS Hub: Kerala |access-date= 25 May 2022}}</ref> The tree has been depicted on a 20-[[Indian rupee|rupee]] stamp. The tree is frequently cultivated in Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka where the Sinhala name is ''Ehela'', ඇහැල.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dh-web.org/place.names/bot2sinhala.html#Aehaela|title = Botany Plant-names → Sinhala Plant names උද්භිද නම් → සිංහල නම්}}</ref>

In [[Laos]], its blooming flowers known locally as ''dok khoun'' are associated with the [[Songkran (Lao)|Lao New Year]]. People use the flowers as offerings at the temple and also hang them in their homes for the New Year in belief that the flowers will bring happiness and good luck to the households.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGnxy9QzmjQ Lao NEWS on LNTV: When the golden shower trees, known as Dok Khoun in Laos blossom.17/4/2014]</ref>

The laburnum is the school tree of [[National Taiwan Normal University]], thought to be because of the seed pods' similarity to the whips used by teachers in times past.<ref>{{Cite web |title=School tree |url=http://archives.lib.ntnu.edu.tw/c2/c2_4_eng.jsp |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=NTNU University Archives}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Amaltas tree in Delhi,India.jpg|Amaltas Tree in [[Delhi]]
File:Golden shower full bloom.jpg|Tree at full bloom
File:Cassia fistula-flower-detail.jpg|Flower detail
File:Cassia.jpg|Flower in [[Chandigarh]], India
File:Golden Shower Seeds.jpg|Seeds
File:Amaltas (Cassia fistula) leaves in Hyderabad, AP W 289.jpg|Leaves in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]], India
File:Cassia fistula MHNT.BOT.2007.26.54.jpg|Fruit
File:Tree Bark of Cassia fistula.jpg|Bark in Hong Kong
</gallery>

{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category inline|Cassia fistula}}
*{{aut|Database on state of environment, Kerala}} (2008): [https://web.archive.org/web/20080307101819/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/isbeid/kerala-symbols.htm Kerala Symbols] (archived 7 March 2008)

{{Taxonbar|from=Q161117}}

[[Category:Cassia (genus)|fistula]]
[[Category:Flora of tropical Asia]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants of Asia]]
[[Category:Territorial symbols of Chandigarh (India)]]
[[Category:National symbols of Thailand]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Trees in Buddhism]]

Cassia fistula - Revision history

80.2.6.163 at 20:33, 18 May 2024