I have not grown this plant. Kassod Tree (Senna siamea; synonyms: Cassia siamea, Cassis florida, Senna sumatrana) is also commonly know...Read Moren as cassod tree, pheasant wood, pheasantwood, Bombay black-wood, casia amarilla, casia de Siam, casia siamea, johar, juar, kassod, kassod-tree, minjri, mjohoro, msunobari, mti, muong, sheku, siamese cassia, taray ulaya, vakai, wa and yellow casi. It is native to South and Southeast Asia and an introduced naturalized plant in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as well as other tropical locations. Preferring fertile, moist soils, during dry conditions, it will grow only when its deep roots have access to groundwater. It is susceptible to cold and frost. Senna siamea is also grown as an ornamental.
"Tree, to 30 m tall, spreading, pubescent on the leaf undersides and inflorescence, soon glabrescent. Leaves (10-) 15-20 (-35) cm long including a terete petiole 25-40 mm long; stipules minute, subulate, persistent; leaflets in (4-) 6-8 (-16) pairs spaced 15-30 mm apart, stipules minute, subulate, persistent; leaflets in (4-) 6-8 (-16) pairs spaced 15-30 mm apart, oblong, 30-50 (-75) mm long, (12-) 20-30 mm wide, increasing medially or distally, emarginate and mucronulate; glands absent, replaced by transverse bars between the leaflets. Inflorescences of 10-20 (-60) flowers, in upper axils, forming a many-flowered panicle to 40 cm long; peduncles 15-25 mm long; pedicels 15-20 (-35) mm long; bracts subpersistent. Petals (10-) 15-25 mm long. Fertile stamens 7 or 10 (with 3 large staminodes); filaments unequal, the lateral abaxial ones 7-12 mm long, the others 2.5-5.5 mm long; anthers subequal, weakly beaked, 5-8 mm long, opening by one U-shaped pore. Pod flat, 15-25 (-30) cm long, 10-15 mm wide, straight but laterally curved, entire. Seeds lustrous, with a narrowly spathulate areole". (Randell and Barlow, 1998; Flora of Australia 12: pp. 127-128).
Senna siamea has been and is used for many purposes. The sapwood is whitish and its beautiful heartwood is very dark (almost black) with yellow streaks with a zebra-like grain. Turnery, joinery, furniture, inlaying, cabinet work, and handles are made from it. Because of the designs in the heartwood, decorative pieces are also produced. The sawdust created with product production may cause some irritation to the nose, throat and eyes not only because of particles, but, also due to chemicals in the wood. Also, the wood is used for pole timber, posts and fuel wood. Senna siamea is used for erosion control, windbreaks, shelterbelts, hedgerows, alley cropping and intercropping as well as a shade providing tree in cocoa, coffee, and tea plantations. Whether growing natively or introduced, it is used extensively for rehabilitation of degraded land throughout many regions of the world. Young fruits and leaves are eaten as a vegetable and curry dishes are made with young leaves and flowers. In addition, Senna siamea is also used in the production of honey and tannins. In China, Senna siamea serves as a host plant for the lac insect.
Other information:
Deer resistant
Salt intolerant
Foliage, fruits and seeds are fatal to pigs and poultry
I have not grown this plant. Kassod Tree (Senna siamea; synonyms: Cassia siamea, Cassis florida, Senna sumatrana) is also commonly know...Read More