Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
gold medallion tree
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Cassia leptophylla
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The golden medallion tree is a broad semi-evergreen/semi-deciduous tree that grows 8-12 m (25=40) feet tall with a rounded, and slightly wider canopy spread (1, 2, 3). The bark and new woody stems are brown and smooth (4). Major scaffold limbs begin low on the trunk and branches extend wide and become somewhat pendulous towards the branch tips (2, 4). Leaves are attached alternately on the stems, even-pinnately compound, and dark green on the upper surface and dull green on the lower surface (1, 2, 3). Leaves are 30 cm (12 inches) long and composed of 9-14 pairs of narrow, 6 cm (2.5 inch) long oval-lanceolate leaflets (3). Flowers, which appear in early summer, are perfect, showy, yellow and 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) across (2, 3, 4). The tree will usually produce scattered blooming later in the summer and into the fall as well (2, 3). Flowers are borne on 15-25 cm (6-10 inch) long terminal racemes consisting of 30-50 flowers each (3). Fruits are slender, 30-60cm (1-2 foot) long, twisted dry bean pods that are square in cross-section (2, 3).
Compound:
Cas lep
Geographic Origin:
Brazil
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The golden medallion tree is native to the tropics of southeastern Brazil but grows well in subtropical regions of the United States, such as Florida, Texas, and Hawaii (3, 4). This species was first planted in the US in the Los Angeles County Arboretum in 1958 and has increased in popularity in this country over time (5). Though many plants previously classified in the genus Cassia have now been reclassified in the genus Senna, this Brazil native retained its place in Cassia. The name Cassia is from the ancient Greek 'Kassia', a name for the biblical kassian plants that provided senna leaves and pods for medicinal use (2). The specific epithet is from the Greek words 'leptos' meaning "fine or slender" and 'phylla' meaning "leaf" in reference to the narrow leaflets of this species. The common name “golden medallion tree” highlights the yellow spherical clusters which resemble medallions (4).
Cultivation Notes:
Under optimum conditions, this tree will grow at a rate of 1 m (36 inches) per year (1). It is suited for USDA hardiness zones 10-12 and Sunset zones 15-16, 20-24 (4). As such it should be grown in an area with little threat of freezing temperatures but can handle considerable heat (4). It has low-medium water needs but should be deeply watered after planting to encourage deep roots to develop so as to protect it from fluctuating surface moisture/drought (3). To do this, apply water slowly for several hours at each irrigation. It is tolerant to salt spray (4). It has little tolerance to shade and will bloom more if placed in dull sun (1, 2, 4). It can be grown in loamy or sand soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH, as long as it is well drained (1, 2, 4). It does not grow as well in heavy, poorly drained, or water-logged soils (2). Pruning early in life can support greater vertical growth (4).
Ethnobotany:
The golden medallion tree is most valued as a landscape ornamental. While it has medium-weak branch strength and poisonous seeds, it has little potential for root damage to underground infrastructure and provides great shade and excellent screening due to its broad umbrella-like canopy (1, 3). The tree is associated with moderate allergenicity in some individuals and the oils from the pods also skin irritation to some (4). The Missouri Botanical Garden reports that the sticky brown pulp in the seeds are used for herbal medicine (3).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
