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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Caesalpiniaceae (~Fabales) |
| Origin: Brazil (South America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 15-25 feet |
| Width: 15-20 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Cassia leptophylla (Gold Medallion Tree) - A broad semi-evergreen tree to 20 to 25 feet tall that has reddish-brown bark with low branches that are somewhat pendulous towards the tips with 1 foot long compound leaves of 9 to 20 pairs of opposite 1-2 inch long linear leaflets that are deep glossy green on their upper surface and dull green below. In early to mid-summer appear the terminal clusters of 2 to 3 inch wide deep yellow flowers, with scattered blooming later. The flowers are followed by 1 to 2 foot long bean-like pods that are square in cross section. Plant in full sun in a fairly well-drained soil and give occasional to little irrigation. Hardy to about 25 degrees F and tolerant to short duration freezes a bit lower. This is the most common and reliable of the Cassias in southern California – it was first planted in the Los Angeles County Arboretum in 1958 and has become increasingly popular over time. It can be a little fussy in heavy soils that are over irrigated but in general it has been a very reliable tree in Southern California landscapes. Though many of the plants previously known as Cassia are now in the genus Senna, this species form southeastern Brazil is still in the genus Cassia. The name Cassia is from the ancient Greek 'Kassia', a name for the biblical kassian plants that provided senna leaves and pods for medicinal use. The specific epithet is from the Greek words 'leptos' meaning "thin", "slender", "delicate" or "narrow" and 'phyllon' meaning "leaf" in reference to the narrow leaflets of this species.
The information on this page is based on the research that we have conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from what we have found on reliable online sources, as well as from observations made of our crops of this plant growing in the nursery and of plants growing in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Cassia leptophylla. |
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