Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Cassia grandis
Food
Livestock Forage
Fuelwood
Lumber
Medicinal
Ornamental
Product
English Common Name
Appleblossom cassia, Coral shower, Horse cassia, Pink shower, Stinky toe
Colombian Common Name
Cañafístula, Cañafístol, Cañafístola delgada, Cañadongo, Capote
Tree Family
Fabaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
30cm
Length
×
—
Width
Tree Height
Medium (20–35m)
Elevational Range (m)
10–1200m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Colombia
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Suriname, Venezuela
Colombia
Antioquia, Cauca, Tolima, Valle del Cauca
Exotic in
Latin America
Africa, Asia, Galapagos, Oceania, Trinidad-Tobago
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
Propagated by seeds and cuttings. It has a high germination rate, that begins within a week of planting.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Food
- Livestock Forage
- Fuelwood
- Lumber
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
- Product
Used to adorn and decorate spaces. The pulp is used as a laxative and energy drink, and the leaves to treat skin conditions. The membrane around the seeds is used as a chocolate substitute. Fruits are highly valued by livestock. Wood ashes are used to make soap. Used as firewood. Used to build small bridges and boats, in carpentry, fine woodworking, flooring, posts, rustic furniture, and tool handles.
Farm Services
- Coffee Shade
- Windbreak
- Soil Improvement
- Reforestation
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Water Protection
Shade. As a fast-growing tree, it can be used as a pioneer species in forest restoration, gallery forests, living fences, and agroforestry systems. Helps in nitrogen fixation in soil through the roots. Soil conservation and recovery of degraded areas.
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Attracts seed dispersers, Attracts pollinators.
Citations
Citations
Plants of the World Online (POWO). (2024). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/;
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2024). IUCN Red List. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/;
Fern, Ken (2024). Tropical Plants Database. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/;
Universidad EIA. (2024). Catálogo virtual de Flora del Valle de Aburrá. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://catalogofloravalleaburra.eia.edu.co/;
World Flora Online. (2024). World Flora Online. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.worldfloraonline.org/;
Universidad Nacional de Colombia. (2024). Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/es/;
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). (2024). GBIF. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.gbif.org/es/
Sistema de Información sobre Biodiversidad de Colombia (SIB) (2024). Catálogo de la Biodiversidad. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from: https://catalogo.biodiversidad.co/;
Cárdenas, L.M. (2016). Aspectos ecológicos y silviculturales para el manejo de especies forestales. Revisión de información disponible para Colombia. Fundación Natura. Bogotá D.C. Colombia;
Acero, LE (2005). Plantas útiles de la cuenca del Orinoco. BP Exploration Company (Colombia) Limited, Ecopetrol y Corporinoquia