Queensland Cassia / Yellow Shower
Origin of name
Family: CAESALPINIACEAE
- Cassia derived from greek “kassia”
- queenslandica meaning “from Queensland”
Occurrence
NOT a local plant – occurs from Cairns north to Cooktown, mostly on rainforest margins and along stream banks.
Prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun/part shade – flowers best in full sun. Good specimen and shade tree. Produces less leaf litter than many other Cassia trees. Especially suited to moist, tropical areas.
Appearance
Tree (5-10m) with ribbed branches and fern-like leaves that can fall in winter. Pendulous bunches of yellow flowers (Feb-Jun) lead to long, corrugated, almost cylindrical pods.
Attractive foliage and very decorative floral display. Flowers attract bees, butterflies. Birds eat seeds. Snapped twigs smell of bacon. Larval food plant of Tailed Emperor and Grass Yellow butterflies.
Image coming soon