CASSIA GORATENSIS Fres.—Rumfu. Runhu. LEGUMINOSAE.
This is a small and common tree whose only value, apart from medicinal use by the natives, is ornamental. It is found in clumps as a small tree about 10 feet high, but also singly growing to a height of 20 and even 30 feet. Well-grown examples have a 10-12 feet bole some 3 feet in girth and a spherical crown. In its young state it is apt to be confused with Cassia occidentalis, “rai dore,” which latter is a shrubby herb with similar flowers and leaves.
The Bark is grey, sometimes almost white, with wide fissures and large scales. Old trees may have very dark and rough bark. That of the stout tapering twigs is a light brown with a powdery surface which rubs off in the hand. The slash is dull brown.
The Leaves are pinnate, 10-12 inches long with about eight pairs of oval leaflets which are bright green and smooth on the upper surface; grey, with the venation raised on the under surface. They are soft in texture and very often blotched or spotted.
The Flowers are most conspicuous in large, round bunches at the twig ends. They are bright yellow and about 2 inches across, with 5 petals, of which the lower three are much the same size and shape, while the other two are larger, the one spoon-shaped, the other serrate-edged and with marked veining. The sepals are also yellow and saucer-shaped, two of them larger than the other three. Of the 10 stamens, 3 are tall with large anthers, 4 are short with large anthers and 3 are quite small with round, flat anthers. They are grouped accordingly, from back to front as is typical of the genus. They appear in September.
The Fruits are thin, brown, jointed pods about 4 inches long, straight or curved, hanging in bunches. They contain 15 or 20 small, round, flattish grey seeds and ripen in February.
Uses.—The pods and leaves, boiled in water, are used for washing and purification after child-birth. The same infusion is taken internally as a cure for fever.
CASSIA SIEBERIANA DC.—Malga, Gamma fada. LEGUMINOSAE.