Golden-shower

Scientific Name : Cassia fistula L.
Common Name : Golden-shower
Chinese Name : 臘腸樹, 豬腸豆, 阿勃勒, 牛角樹, 波斯皂莢
Family : CAESALPINIACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species

Anecdotes on plants

Origins	India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Applications	The Golden-shower is a common street tree and ornamental plant. During its flowering period, it seems to be embedded in a sea of flowers. Its flowers within an inflorescence gradually change from milky yellow to bright yellow towards the tip, which are brilliant and eye-catching, rendered a high aesthetic value. The inflorescences hang downwards, resembling a tumbling "flower waterfall". The species is widely cultivated in South to Southwest China and Southeast Asia.
Meanings of names	Its legumes are slim, elongated and cylindrical. They turn blackish brown upon maturity that look like cured Chinese sausages as well as pig intestines. Hence, the species was given the names “Preserved Sausage Tree (臘腸樹)” and “Pig-Intestine Pod (豬腸豆)” in Chinese. The species epithet "fistula" in its scientific name means "tube or pipe", which also describes the shape of its fruit. Its English name "Golden-shower" describes the scene of its yellow flowers in full bloom.
National Flower	Golden-shower is the national flower of Thailand.

Traits for identification

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Remarks

Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website : https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=8351

Scientific names from other databases
― Flora of China : Cassia fistula Linnaeus
―

Reference

• Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). (2018). A Photographic Guide to Common Urban Trees of Hong Kong. 3^rd edition. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong. ISBN: 978-988-12021-3-0.
• eFloras. (2008). Cassia fistula Linnaeus. Flora of China. [Online Edition]. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 3^rd June 2020, from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200012019
• Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department & South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Cassia fistula L. 臘腸樹(豬腸豆). Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 3^rd June 2020, from: https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/FloraOfHK/Species/8351/8351_S_E.pdf
• Olivetti, E. (2003). fistŭla. Latin-English Dictionary, Online Latin Dictionary Olivetti. Retrieved 3^rd June 2020, from: https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?parola=fistula
• Royal Thai Embassy, Singapore. (2010). National symbols of Thailand. Retrieved 3^rd June 2020, from: https://www.thaiembassy.sg/about-thailand/national-symbols-of-thailand
• 中國科學院仙湖植物園。（2010）。《深圳植物誌》（第2卷）。北京 : 中國林業出版社。國際標準書號 : 978-7-5038-5884-0。
• 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈臘腸樹Cassia fistula L.〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2020年6月3日擷取自 : http://www.iplant.cn/info/Cassia%20fistula?t=z
• 中國科學院華南植物園。（2003）。《廣東植物誌》（第5卷）。廣州 : 廣東科技出版社。國際標準書號 : 978-7-5359-3322-X。