Fabaceae-Caesalpinaceae
Cassia afrofistula
Kenyan Cassia
Canopy/Emergment Tree
7 small available right now.
About
This evergreen or semi-deciduous tree is native to East Africa, typically reaching heights of up to 6 metres. It is characterised by alternate, pinnately compound leaves and brown bark with smooth, vertical striations. Showy, bright yellow flowers emerge in vertical spikes from late April to September, which develop into long, cylindrical pods that turn black upon maturity and contain multiple shiny brown seeds.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for a Kilifi-coast garden, this ornamental tree thrives in full sun to light shade and adapts to a wide range of well-drained soil types. It serves well as a specimen tree, providing shade in gardens, parks, or streetscape settings.
Growing notes
Once established, the Kenyan Cassia is drought-tolerant and requires warm, tropical conditions, as it does not tolerate temperatures below 25°F (-3.8°C). While generally low maintenance, some individuals choose to prune after flowering to prevent pods from developing; the oil from these pods may cause skin irritation.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: ufl.edu, selinawamucii.com, flvc.org, zimbabweflora.co.zw, kew.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.