Leichhardt Bean
Origin of name
Family: CAESALPINIACEAE
- Cassia derived from greek “kassia”
- brewsteri in honour of Frederick Brewster
Occurrence
Grows mainly in open forest & woodland, but also occurs in vine thicket.
Prefers well-drained soil in full sun/part shade, but occurs in areas with permeable topsoil but alkaline, medium-heavy clay sub- soil. Tolerant of drought and salt spray once established. Good specimen and shade tree.
Appearance
Shrub (2-4m) in drier sites or tree (to 20m) in closed forest. Has dark grey, furrowed bark & fern-like leaves that can fall in winter. Pendulous bunches of yellow and russet flowers (Jun-Sep) lead to long, brown, corrugated, almost cylindrical pods. Some trees have all-yellow flowers.
Attractive foliage & very decorative floral display. Larval food plant of Lemon Migrant & Tailed Emperor butterflies. Flowers attract bees, butterflies. Seeds often parasitised.
