Cassia Fistula: Golden Shower

Cassia fistula is also known as a golden shower, Indian laburnum, purging cassia or amaltaas in India. It is a summer-flowering plant found in tropical and subtropical regions. It belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae. A native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, this plant can be found from India to Thailand and Sri Lanka to Pakistan. Amaltaas grows as a medium-sized tree and is used as an ornamental plant and is quite popular for its therapeutic properties as well. Cassia fistula flower and tree are the national flower and tree of Thailand respectively. The flower is also the state flower of Kerala, India. The Latin botanical term “cassia” for the plant comes from the Greek word, “Kassia,” which means fragrant plant.

The golden shower tree grows up to 66 feet tall. It is a fast-growing tree and has strong wood. The wood is so strong and durable that it was used to construct ‘Ehela Kanuwa’ at Adams Peak, Sri Lanka.  In India and abroad, one can find many exotic and native species of cassia fistula.  When not in the flowering phase, the golden tree provides shade and shelter to the passer-by. The leaves and bark have medicinal properties as well. The flowers bloom in a drooping pattern in a cluster, like a bunch of grape.

There are more than 500 species of cassia fistula around the world.

The golden tree finds mention in Hindu scriptures Ramayana and Mahabharata as well. Famous biologist and botanical artist Marianne North have depicted it very beautifully in his paintings, which are still at display at the Royal Botanic Gardens, England. Eminent Indian painter, A. Ramachandran, has created artworks involving the golden tree. One of the paintings that require a mention here is the famous Amaltas artwork by Sunita Kumar. Titled, Indian Laburnum, it is a painting of Mother Teresa praying and reading a book near the golden tree.

The aroma of the golden tree and the splash of yellow flowers make for an interesting sublime amalgam of summer milieu.

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