Cassia fistula (Indian Laburnum)

Indian Laburnum is one of the most beautiful trees of Indian origin. It blooms early summer with pendant tresses of golden bunches. The flowers, individually, seem to be without any scent but when the tree is full of flowers it wafts beautiful scent all around. It is an unforgettable sight to see this tree in full bloom. In Kearala flowers of this tree are considered sacred. On festival day of Vishu, seeing these flowers first thing in morning is considered as very auspicious. There is a white flowering variety of this tree.

This tree is of medium size with compound leaves. It is a deciduous tree and is very drought resistant. In winter it sheds all its leaves and early summer it starts blooming. Its trunk is whitish grey. The wood is quite hard and has brownish coloured wood. After flowering, long, green pods start growing on the tree. The pods as they mature turn almost black. A pod has many compartments; each having a single seed. Some of course are without any seeds. There is a blackish gummy substance in the pod that has medicinal uses. It is used as a laxative; however excess of it can be quite harmful.
The tree is propagated with seeds. The seed coat is quite hard; hence if soaked in warm water for a day or two, they germinate faster. I have succeeded in propagating this tree even with root cuttings. Cassia fistula belongs to Caesalpiniaceae family.

Its common names are Indian laburnum tree,Bahava, Amaltas.