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Yellow Cassia
Senna siamea
A fast-growing, evergreen tree (also known as Cassia siamea) bearing dense terminal clusters of bright yellow flowers, widely planted across East Africa as a shade, avenue, and windbreak tree.
Log in to request a quotation- Family
- Fabaceae
- Tree type
- ornamental/shade
- Mature height (m)
- 10-18
- Growth rate
- fast
- Lifespan (years)
- 30-50
- Native region
- South and Southeast Asia (naturalized across East Africa)
Environment
Growing Conditions
- Climate requirements
- Broadly adaptable across Kenya's lowland to mid-altitude semi-arid and sub-humid agro-ecological zones.
- Soil types
- Tolerant of poor, degraded, and compacted soils provided drainage is adequate.
- Water requirements
- Drought-tolerant once established; moderate water needs during establishment.
Cultivation
Planting & Care
- Planting guide
- Propagate from seed; space 5-8m apart; plant at the start of rains for fast establishment.
- Care guide
- Benefits from periodic pruning or pollarding to manage size; can be susceptible to pod borers; considered locally weedy/invasive in some areas.
Phenology
Flowering & Fruiting
- Flowering season
- Roughly June-September, variable with rainfall
- Fruiting season
- Flat seed pods follow flowering
Value
Uses & Economic Importance
- Uses
- Shade and avenue tree, windbreak in agroforestry systems, fuelwood, and bee forage; moderate ornamental value from its yellow blooms.
- Economic importance
- Common in Kenyan urban, institutional, and roadside landscaping; valued in agroforestry as a windbreak and fuelwood source.
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