The long, hot days of summer provide ideal conditions for many of our flowering trees to produce an abundance of blooms. We are fortunate in this regard as this flush of colours provides welcome relief from the otherwise dry landscape.

An arrangement using the golden rain tree (Photos: Karl McLarty)

Cassia fistula - golden shower, golden rain tree - like the Poinciana is of the family Leguminusae, one of the longest of plant families. The members of this family range in size from the lowly- creeping "shame lady" - Mimosa pudica (whose leaves as children we touched to watch them fold) through the red peas (rice and peas fame) to the giant 50 ft flame of the forest - Butea monosperma. How can plants so different in size and appearance be related? This mystery is cleared up when we remember that botanists use the flower structure as the main basis for classification. Their similarities allow separation into genre and species. For example, Cassia fistula has golden pendulous flowers while Cassia javanica has the identical flower structure, but the flowers grow in pink and white clusters.
The Genus Cassia has over 500 species, most of which, including the golden shower, are natural to India and southern Asia. They are now cultivated and naturalised in the most tropical countries, including the Caribbean.

Description

The plant has a sturdy trunk and spreading branches growing to a height of about 30 ft. It is semi-deciduous, shedding its compound leaves just prior to blooming, which normally takes place April to August. It produces terminal clusters of pendulous flowers - golden yellow with green-covered buds at the tips. Each flower has five petals and 10 stamens, including three which are very long, and a long green ovary which on pollination develops into the fruit. This is a cylindrical green structure which develops in a curious way. As it matures it becomes divided internally into many compartments, each with a single seed surrounded by a black viscid pulp.

Cultivation

The pods never split open like other family members, but will eventually fall from the tree and disintegrate, releasing the seeds. The seeds are difficult to germinate, and Mexican studies indicate that soaking in water alone will not stimulate germination. To get them to grow, dip in sulphutic acid, this gives the highest germination rate. Puncturing the seed coat before soaking in water is a simpler way to break its dormancy. The plant is tolerant of many soil types, but best results are obtained when planted in full sunlight. Once established it is almost care free.

Uses

The plant is widely used as firewood in such places as Mexico. Its reddish wood is strong and durable and is desired for cabinet work, while the bark is used in tanning.
For centuries, the bark has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and skin diseases, and the flowers for fever. However, the sweetish pulp around the seed enjoys the most widespread use. The fruit is crushed, digested in hot water and evaporated to produce a substance widely used as a laxative and often included in senna products. Reports suggest that the fruit was once shipped to pharmaceutical companies in the USA and UK. Flower arrangers regret the fact that the blooms die quickly once cut from the plant. To use them, cut in early morning, soak submerged for one to two hours, clip stem ends and use - they will last for a function.
The pods in the arrangement shown are used in the modern or contemporary technique of stacking and are tied together with raffia. This background structure will last for months while you change the flowers - to those available or appropriate for each occasion. Let's keep on preserving and adding to our island's rich flora.

- Ann Ramsay is a member of the St Andrew Floral and Garden Arranging Club.

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