Cassia fistula L.

Tengguli, or golden shower tree (Cassia fistula), is a tree 10-15 meters tall of the Fabaceae family, widely distributed in tropical regions, cultivated as an ornamental from Java to Papua. Its wood is used for building material and farming tools, while its bark is used for tanning and dyeing leather. The golden shower tree also plays a role in restoring degraded land, and is traditionally believed to act as a laxative and treat boils.

Grows well in humid tropical and subtropical regions with average rainfall ranging from 500-2,700 mm/year, average annual temperature of 18-29 °C, and pH 5.5-8.7. Favors sandy, well-drained soil, in full sun, but tolerant of shade. Generally found in dry deciduous forests, open forests, and grasslands.

• Trunk has spreading branches, smooth young twigs.
• Leaves consist of 3-7 pairs of leaflets, ovate to elongated, 7-12 cm x 4-8 cm in size, glossy upper surface, petiole 5-8 cm long.
• Flowers axillary, numerous, fragrant, drooping (20-60 cm long), golden yellow.
• Fruit a pod, hanging, smooth, black, 20-60 cm long, containing many seeds.

• Propagated using seed and cuttings.
• Germination can be sped up by soaking the seed for 12-24 hours in warm water, followed by soaking in concentrated sulfuric acid for 45 minutes.
• This plant grows slowly, taking about 8-10 years from planting to flowering.

Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, amino acids, triterpenoids, and phenolics.

Acts as a laxative; treats malaria, boils, diabetes, kidney stones, canker sores, dysentery; addresses constipation, hypertension; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.

Not yet available.

Bak biratha (Aceh), Trengguli (Java), Bobondelan (Sunda), Klobop (Madura), Tilai (Dayak), Kluwang (Flores).