06/05/2026
Hello everyone and welcome back to Plant of the Week! This week we will be taking a look at Cassia javanica, a tree species native to parts of Southeast Asia and Indonesia that has become popular in the plant trade for its ornamental use. Cassia javanica is a deciduous tree species that can average over 10 meters tall with some specimens being recorded having a height of over 20 meters. The species has an umbrella-like canopy made up of drooping branches and does not typically have a dominant trunk, though some stems can measure around 60cm in diameter at chest height. The leaves are pinnately compound and comprised of oval shaped leaflets that measure between 10 and 12cm long, grouped in roughly 10 pairs per leaf.
The flowers, which is their most noticeable feature, tend to bloom in early summer and are borne at the end of branches. This specific species will produce varying shades of pink and white flowers with bright yellow stamens that extend far beyond the petals, creating the image shown here. Along with their aesthetic appearance these flowers are also know as pollinator attractors, bringing in both butterflies and bees.
Despite its concerns in tolerating heavy winds poorly, Cassia javanica is still often used as a specimen plant here in South Florida thanks to its showy nature and ability to thrive in full sun.
The Montgomery Botanical Center Plant of the Week is made possible with the support of the City of Coral Gables Cultural Arts Division.
Cassiajavanica
