Cassia brewsteri

(F. Muell.) F.Muell. ex Benth.

Leichhardt Bean, Golden Shower tree, Brewster's cassia

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds, Gum 149 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Cassia brewsteri, commonly known as Brewster's cassia, Leichhardt bean, cassia pea and bean tree is a species of shrubs or small trees, of the plant family Fabaceae. They grow naturally in Queensland, Australia. They primarily grow in open forest, and occasionally in monsoon forest. Cassia brewsteri, as with other Cassia, produces pinnate leaves. In the case of Cassia brewsteri the leaflets are approximately 5 cm long, bright green, glossy or waxy above and whitish-green below. Flowers are yellow, often with red markings, and produced in racemes. The flowers are followed by round pods, up to 45 cm long.

Description

A large shrub or small tree. It grows 5-12 m high. It can spread 4-7 m wide. In rainforest it can grow 30 m high. The bark is dark grey and furrowed. The leaves are alternate and pinnate. The leaves have 4-8 dark green leaflets. These are 4-6 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. They are paler underneath. They flowers are dull yellow. They hang down on long strings. The pods are long and slightly flattened. The pods are 45 cm long. The pods are divided into segments. The pods turn dark brown to black. The seeds are flat and yellowish-brown.

Edible Uses

Young seeds are roasted and eaten.

Traditional Uses

The young seeds are roasted and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is native to N.E. Australia. It grows in drier regions as well as warm humid coastal lowlands. It suits warm temperate regions and into tropical regions. It needs well drained soil. It needs full sunlight. It cannot stand frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia*, East Africa,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The seed need treatment to get them to grow. Plants can also be grown by aerial layering and grafting.

Production

Plants grow very quickly.

Notes

There are 100 Cassia species. This group has been revised to a smaller more consistent group. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Synonyms

Cathartocarpus brewsteri F. Muell.Senna brewsteri

Also Known As

Cigar Cassia

References (22)

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Barwick, M., 2004, Tropical and Subtropical Trees. A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide. Thames and Hudson p 93
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 220
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 100
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 82

Show all 22 references

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