Cassia Alata

Cassia alata, commonly known as Senna alata or the Candle Bush, is a fast-growing, flowering shrub or small tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. Native to tropical regions, Cassia alata is known for its striking appearance, medicinal properties, and various uses. Here is a description of Cassia alata:

1. Size and Shape: Cassia alata can grow as a shrub, reaching heights of 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet), or as a small tree, growing up to 8 meters (26 feet) in height. It has an upright and bushy growth habit with multiple stems.

2. Leaves: The leaves of Cassia alata are large, compound, and arranged in an alternate pattern along the stems. Each leaf is composed of several pairs of lance-shaped leaflets that have a smooth texture and a glossy, dark green color.

3. Flowers: The Candle Bush gets its name from its unique flowers, which resemble candles. The flowers are bright yellow, arranged in upright, elongated clusters or racemes. The blooms are large and showy, attracting butterflies and other pollinators.

4. Fruits and Seeds: After flowering, Cassia alata produces slender, cylindrical seed pods that contain numerous flat, dark brown seeds. The pods turn dark and dry when mature, eventually splitting open to release the seeds.

5. Medicinal Uses: Cassia alata has a long history of traditional medicinal use. Various parts of the plant, including the leaves and flowers, are used in herbal medicine to treat skin conditions, including fungal infections, ringworm, and other dermatological issues.