TreeRM

Amaltas

Cassia fistula 路 Fabaceae 路 also Indian laburnum, Golden shower tree, Golden rain tree, Kanikkonna, Ratchaphruek

A medium-sized deciduous tree of about 10 m that drops its leaves in the hot season and then hangs itself with 30 to 60 cm chains of golden flowers, followed by long black pods. It is the state flower of Kerala and the national flower of Thailand and is a favourite street and garden tree across India and South-East Asia. The pulp is a traditional laxative and the seeds are emetic, so keep pods from children.

Broadleaf, drops leavesMedium growthFull sunLow water
Amaltas
Wikimedia Commons, file Golden_shower_tree.jpg (see file page for author and licence)

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚠馃嚦 India 路 State flower of Kerala; planted in every statesource
  • 馃嚤馃嚢 Sri Lankasource

Adapted

  • 馃嚢馃嚜 Kenya 路 Introduced per WCVPsource
  • 馃嚥馃嚥 Myanmar (Burma) 路 Introduced per WCVPsource
  • 馃嚥馃嚱 Mexico 路 Introduced per WCVPsource
  • 馃嚬馃嚟 Thailand 路 National flower of Thailand; WCVP records it as introduced in Indochinasource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 FL, United States 路 Introduced per WCVP; not on FISC listsource

Care

Plant in full sun at the start of the rains; water the first dry season only. Tolerates moderate shade and drought but not frost. Prune after flowering to shape; it coppices and suckers freely. Scale insects and various fungi attack it. Pods and flower litter need sweeping on pavements.

Benefits

FlowersPollinatorsDrought tolerantFits small spacesShade

Good for

Street treeSmall yardparksYard shade

Watch out for

Toxic partsHeavy litterMessy fruit