Siamese Cassia

Scientific name: Cassia siamea

POWO Status: Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 54.69″ N, 64° 49′ 52.40″ W

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20250726

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Cassia siamea (Siamese Senna)

Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
Common Names: Siamese Senna, Yellow Cassia, Kassod Tree, Cassod Tree
Habitat: Native to Southeast Asia, especially Thailand and Myanmar; widely planted in tropical and subtropical regions as an ornamental and shade tree, including in the Caribbean. Tolerant of poor soils and drought.

Phenological Markers:

  • Flowering Period:
    Year-round flowering is possible in warm climates, but peaks typically occur in late summer to fall (August to October). Bright yellow, 5-petaled flowers appear in dense terminal clusters.
  • Fruiting Period:
    Seed pods develop shortly after flowering and mature in late fall to early winter (October to January). The long, flat, brown seed pods can be up to 30 cm in length and contain several hard, disk-like seeds.
  • Leaf Fall:
    Semi-evergreen. May shed some leaves during the dry season (January to March) or under drought stress but generally retains foliage year-round in humid climates.
  • Budding Period:
    New growth begins in early to mid-spring (March to May), often accompanied by budding inflorescences, especially after light rains.

Key Features:

  • Leaves: Even-pinnate, compound leaves with 6–12 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets are oblong and dark green, with new leaves often appearing reddish.
  • Flowers: Showy, bright yellow with conspicuous stamens; a popular choice for avenue or ornamental planting.
  • Fruits: Long, flat, dark brown pods containing 20+ seeds. Pods often remain on the tree for weeks after maturing.

Additional Notes:

  • Cassia siamea is commonly used in urban landscaping due to its fast growth, symmetrical crown, and drought tolerance.
  • Leaves, pods, and seeds contain alkaloids and are considered toxic if consumed in large quantities, although small amounts are sometimes used in traditional medicine (usually cooked to reduce toxicity).
  • It contributes to soil stabilization and is sometimes used in agroforestry for shade and green manure.
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