Indian Laburnum

Indian Laburnum Latest News

According to SeasonWatch -a citizen science project that monitors tree phenology observed that over the last few years, Indian laburnum trees flowers have been blooming earlier than usual.

About Indian Laburnum

• Indian laburnum (Cassia fistula) is called “amaltas” in northern India and “kanikonna” in south India.
• It is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae family.
• It is also known as Golden Shower Tree, Amaltas, Purging Fistula, Pudding-pipe tree.
• It is native to India and is the State tree of Kerala and Delhi.
• Appearance:  It is a medium to large deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 10 to 20 meters (approximately 30 to 65 feet).
• Distribution: It is native to the Indian subcontinent, but it is also found in other parts of Asia, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
• It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

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Features of Indian laburnum

• This middle-sized deciduous tree is leafless only for a brief time, between March and May. 
• The new leaves are glossy, a trait that they lose on maturing, and are mostly bright green, though sometimes a rich copper too.
• It produces clusters of pendulous, cylindrical, yellow flowers that hang from the branches and bloom in abundance during the flowering season.

Uses of Indian laburnum

• Its extracts from the bark, leaves, flowers, and seeds have been used to treat a variety of ailments, including constipation, skin conditions, digestive issues, and respiratory problems.
• Its bark is used to make dye and the pulp in the fruit pod also serves as a strong purgative agent, which helps animals that feed on it.

Source: TH