Golden Shower (Cassia fistula)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Golden Shower, Cassia fistula, is a tropical, deciduous or evergreen tree with an erect and slender trunk and small buttresses native to India. It is slow growing and reaches up to 9-20 m tall and 3-5 m wide upon maturity. The leaves are green and wedge-shaped at the base, the flowers are yellow, the fruits are brown pods, and the seeds are brown and glossy. Edible parts are the young leaves, flower buds, flowers, and pulp of the pods.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Flowers, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Mildly laxative. — Edible portion: Leaves, Flowers, Pod pulp, Fruit, Spice.; The bark is an ingredient in betel paste, the slightly narcotic masticatory that is popular in some areas of Asia.; The flowers are edible and can be fried.; The young leaves and flower buds are cooked as a vegetable.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry deciduous forest at lower altitudes. (Zone 9)