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TreeCultivatedPerennialMedicinal

Cassia fistula L.

Amal tas
Synonym: Cathartocarpus fistula (L.) Pers
Amal tas

Description

Cassia fistula is a medium-sized deciduous tree, usually 10–20 m tall, with a straight trunk and a spreading rounded crown. The bark is smooth to slightly rough, greyish-brown, and becomes darker with age. Leaves are paripinnate compound, alternate, and usually 15–40 cm long, bearing several pairs of opposite leaflets. Leaflets are ovate to elliptic, 5–15 cm long, with entire margins, rounded bases, and pointed apices. Flowers are bisexual, bright yellow, large, and arranged in long, pendulous racemes, often 20–60 cm long. Each flower consists of five yellow petals, numerous stamens of unequal length, and a curved ovary typical of Caesalpinioideae. Fruits are long, cylindrical, dark brown to black woody pods, usually 30–60 cm long, containing numerous seeds embedded in a dark sticky pulp.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Medium-sized deciduous tree. Pinnate leaves with large leaflets. Spreading crown.
Floral
Long hanging racemes. Bright golden-yellow flowers. Mass flowering display.
Fruit & Seed
Long cylindrical black pods. Numerous seeds in sticky pulp.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia.

In Pakistan: Common throughout Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. In Pakistan cultivated region.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: March–June Fruiting: July–December

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Importance
One of the most important medicinal trees of South Asia. Used as Natural laxative, Treatment of constipation. Used traditionally for Skin diseases, Inflammation. Used for Wound healing, Fever-related preparations. Reported phytochemicals Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Tannins, Phenolic compounds.
Ornamental Importance
Highly valued because of Spectacular yellow flowering, Avenue plantation potential.
Ecological Importance
Supports pollinating insects. Provides habitat for birds.
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Where it grows on campus

West Campus3South Campus1North-East Campus1North-North-West Campus1
6
individuals mapped across 4 zones
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Taxonomic Notes

Cassia fistula belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae and is one of the most recognizable ornamental Fabaceae trees.

References

  1. World Flora Online.