Cassia Javanica

''Cassia javanica'', also known as Java cassia, pink shower, apple blossom tree, rainbow shower tree, and Palawan cherry, is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae. Its origin is in Southeast Asia, but it has been extensively grown in tropical areas worldwide as a garden tree owing to its beautiful crimson and pink flower bunches.

Description

''Cassia javanica'' is a fast growing, deciduous / semi-deciduous tree which flowers in spring and sheds its leaves in the winter months.
It has a straight trunk that reaches heights of 25 - 40m.
The leaves are paripinnate with 12 pairs of elliptical leaves.
The flowers range in colour from pale pink to crimson with yellow coloured stamens and are found in open clusters.
The ground under the tree is covered with a beautiful carpet of pink towards the end of the flowering season.
The fruit are housed in long cylindrical dark brown pods.
Because of its beauty and suitable size ''C. javanica'' is planted as a shade and ornamental tree on streets and in parks.
''C. javanica'' is polymorphic and several sub species such as those listed below exist.Agroforestree Database:a tree reference and selection guide
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Taxonomy

''Cassia javanica'' was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, and published in his work ''Species Plantarum''

Subspecies

Seven subspecies are recognised by Plants of the World Online , as follows:
*''C. j.'' subsp. ''agnes'' (de Wit) K.Larsen – synonyms ''Cassia agnes'' , ''Cassia javanica'' var. ''agnes'' , ''Cassia indochinensis'' , '' Cassia javanica'' var. ''indochinensis''
*''C. j.'' subsp. ''bartonii'' (F.M.Bailey) K.Larsen – synonym ''Cassia bartonii''
*''C. j.'' subsp. ''javanica'' L.
*''C. j.'' subsp. ''microcalyx'' ( H.S.Irwin & Barneby) K.Larsen – synonym ''Cassia javanica'' var. ''microcalyx''
*''C. j.'' subsp. ''nodosa'' ( Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) K.Larsen & S.S.Larsen – synonyms ''Cassia nodosa'' , ''Cathartocarpus nodosus''
*''C. j.'' subsp. ''pubiflora'' ( Merr.) K.Larsen – synonym ''assia javanica'' var. ''pubiflora''
*''C. j.'' subsp. ''renigera'' ( Wall. ex Benth.) K.Larsen – synonym ''Cassia renigera''

Range

The natural range of this species is from Assam (far northeastern India), to southern China, south through Malesia and Papuasia, to Queensland (Australia). It has been introduced to other tropical countries and areas, including India, Hawaii, Sri Lanka, tropical America and tropical Africa.

Flowering season

In India, ''C. javanica'' flowers in April/May and fruits and sheds its leaves in December. In Thailand, ''C. javanica'' flowers between Feb and April. In the Philippines, ''C. j. nodosa'' flowers between February until the summer season. In East Java, ''C. javanica'' flowers between October and December and fruits in the dry season.

Cultural importance

''Cassia javanica'' is one of Thailand's Nine Auspicious Trees and is said to bring good luck, ensure continued high rank and afford victory.
Its flower is the provincial flower of Chainat Province, Thailand.

The subspecies native to the Philippines is subspecies pubiflora, which is found only on Luzon in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, Rizal, and Zambales; there also were historical records from Metro Manila. The so-called 'Palawan cherry blossom' is not a native of the Philippines and is composed of Cassia grandis, Cassia nodosa subsp. javanica, Cassia nodosa subsp. nodosa, and at least one hybrid of one of those. Though locally called ''balayong'' and honored through the Balayong Festival in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, it is most definitely not a true native of Palawan, having been introduced there as a timber tree. As an introduced tree without a local epithet, the locals needed a name for which to market it. Since the wood- pinkish when cut- is very similar to that of the true ''balayong'' or Afzelia rhomboidea, the name was given and has since stuck.

Uses

It is used medicinally as a substitute to ''Cassia fistula'' for treating constipation, colic, chlorosis and urinary disorders.
Its leaves are effective against herpes simplex and the bark of ''C. javanica'' is one of the ingredients in ayurvedic and other traditional medicine antidiabetic formulations.
''C. javanica'' yields a lightweight to heavy hardwood that is used for general construction, furniture and cabinet making.
The bark of ''C. javanica'' is used for tanning in the leather processing industry.Online Manual for the Forest Tree Seeds of Kerala
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References

External links

Sai Yok National Park MyanmarCassia Javanica Bangalore

{{Taxonbar, from=Q164110

javanica
Trees of China
Flora of tropical Asia
Garden plants of Asia
Ornamental trees
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus