Caña Fístula
Cassia fistula
Native Region
South Asia
Max Height
10-20 meters
Family
Fabaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1200m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- San José
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Cartago
- Limón
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
Aug-Oct
Caña Fístula (Golden Shower Tree)
The Caña Fístula (Cassia fistula), known as the Golden Shower Tree, creates one of nature's most stunning visual spectacles. During the dry season, when this deciduous tree has dropped its leaves, it erupts in cascading clusters of brilliant yellow flowers that drip from every branch like liquid sunshine. Entire trees become golden waterfalls, visible from great distances. Originally from South Asia, it has become one of the most beloved ornamental trees throughout the tropics.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Cassia fistula
- Family
- Fabaceae (Legume Family)
- Max Height
- 10-20 m
- Native To
- South Asia
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Key Feature
- Golden flower cascades
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
12000
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Cassia: Ancient Greek name for a cinnamon-like plant - fistula: Latin for "pipe" or "tube"—referring to the cylindrical pods - Golden Shower: Describes the cascading yellow flower clusters - Caña Fístula: Spanish for "fistula reed"—referring to the tube-like pods
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Caña Fístula | Tube reed |
| English | Golden Shower Tree, Pudding Pipe Tree | Flowers / pods |
| Hindi | Amaltas | Traditional name |
| Thai | Ratchaphruek | National flower |
| Portuguese | Cássia Imperial, Chuva de Ouro | Imperial cassia / golden rain |
Physical Description
General Form
The Caña Fístula is a medium-sized deciduous tree with an open, spreading crown. While attractive year-round, it becomes absolutely magnificent during flowering season when covered entirely in golden yellow blooms. The long, dark seed pods persist on the tree for months, adding distinctive visual interest.
Distinctive Features
Leaves
- Type: Pinnately compound
- Leaflets: 4-8 pairs, opposite
- Size: 7-12 cm per leaflet
- Shape: Ovate to elliptic
- Texture: Smooth, slightly glossy
- Deciduous: Drops leaves before flowering
Bark
- Young: Smooth, pale gray-green
- Mature: Rough, grayish-brown
- Texture: Becomes fissured with age
- Inner Bark: Reddish
The Golden Flowers
- Type: Showy, 5 petals
- Color: Bright golden yellow
- Size: 4-7 cm diameter
- Arrangement: Long pendant racemes (30-60 cm!)
- Fragrance: Mildly sweet
- Duration: 2-3 weeks per tree
- Season: Late dry season (March-May in CR)
Seed Pods
- Shape: Long cylindrical tubes
- Length: 30-60 cm (up to 90 cm!)
- Diameter: 2-2.5 cm
- Color: Dark brown to black when ripe
- Contents: Sweet pulp surrounding seeds
- Persistence: Hang on tree for months
During peak flowering (usually March-April in Costa Rica), a Caña Fístula in full bloom is one of the most photogenic trees in the tropics: - Best Time: Mid-morning light makes flowers glow - Best Angle: Shoot upward into the golden canopy - Best Backdrop: Blue sky behind the yellow flowers
- Bonus: Bees and butterflies swarm the flowers Look for trees along roadsides, in parks, and in gardens during dry season!
Distribution and Habitat
Origin and Spread
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
Widely cultivated throughout the country as an ornamental:
| Province | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San José | Very Common | Parks, gardens, streets, plazas |
| Alajuela | Very Common | Urban and rural plantings |
| Heredia | Common | Residential areas, parks |
| Guanacaste | Common | Thrives in dry climate |
| Puntarenas | Common | Coastal and valley towns |
| Cartago | Occasional | Cooler areas, less common |
| Limón | Occasional | Does best in drier periods |
Growing Conditions
- Elevation: Sea level to 1,200 m (prefers lower)
- Climate: Tropical and subtropical
- Rainfall: 1,000-2,500 mm/year
- Temperature: 20-35°C (frost sensitive)
- Soil: Tolerates various, prefers well-drained
- Light: Full sun essential for good flowering
- Drought: Moderately tolerant once established
Cultural Significance
National Symbol of Thailand
Thailand's National Flower
The Caña Fístula holds special significance in Thailand: - Name: Ratchaphruek (ราชพฤกษ์) - "Royal Tree" - Status: National flower of Thailand - Color: Yellow represents Buddhism and Thai royalty - Events: Featured in Songkran (Thai New Year) - Gardens: Planted at temples and palaces The tree's association with royalty and religion makes it one of the most revered ornamental plants in Thai culture.
Regional Cultural Uses
| Region | Cultural Significance | Traditional Use |
|---|---|---|
| India | Sacred to Vishnu and Shiva | Temple gardens, festivals |
| Thailand | National flower, royal symbol | Celebrations, ceremonies |
| Sri Lanka | Traditional Ayurvedic importance | Medicine, ritual |
| Costa Rica | Popular ornamental | Parks, streets, gardens |
| Caribbean | Colonial heritage plantings | Estate gardens |
Medicinal Uses
Traditional Medicine
The following information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally. Some parts of the plant can cause side effects if used improperly.
Ayurvedic Medicine
In traditional Indian medicine, Caña Fístula has been used for millennia:
- Fruit Pulp: Natural laxative ("Aragvadha")
- Bark: Skin conditions, fever
- Leaves: Rheumatism, skin diseases
- Root: Various traditional preparations
- Flowers: Decorative, some medicinal use
Active Compounds
Modern research has identified:
- Anthraquinones: Laxative effect
- Flavonoids: Antioxidant properties
- Tannins: Astringent properties
- Sennosides: Cathartic compounds
Note: The fruit pulp is the safest and most commonly used part, primarily as a gentle laxative.
Ecological Role
Despite Being Introduced...
Although the Caña Fístula is not native to the Americas, it has integrated well into local ecosystems without becoming invasive: Benefits: - Pollinators: Major nectar source for bees - Birds: Attract seed-eating species - Butterflies: Important nectar plant - Urban Wildlife: Provides food in cities - Honey: Produces distinctive honey Unlike some introduced species, Caña Fístula doesn't spread aggressively and requires human planting to reproduce locally.
Wildlife Interactions
Flower Visitors
- Carpenter Bees: Primary pollinators
- Honeybees: Important nectar collectors
- Butterflies: Various species
- Hummingbirds: Occasional visitors
Pod/Seed Consumers
- Parakeets: Eat seeds from pods
- Squirrels: Gnaw on pods
- Rodents: Consume fallen seeds
- Cattle: Eat fallen pods (mild laxative!)
Landscaping and Ornamental Use
The Perfect Flowering Tree
Why Plant Caña Fístula?
The Golden Shower Tree is ideal for tropical landscaping: Advantages: - ✅ Stunning annual flower display - ✅ Moderate size (fits most properties) - ✅ Drought tolerant once established - ✅ Fast-growing - ✅ Provides light shade
- ✅ Attracts pollinators - ✅ Low maintenance Considerations: - ⚠️ Pods can be messy when falling - ⚠️ Needs full sun for best flowering - ⚠️ Deciduous (bare in dry season before bloom) - ⚠️ Frost sensitive
Planting Guidelines
Propagation
Growing from Seed
Identification Guide
How to Identify Caña Fístula
Always Identifiable By:
- Long cylindrical dark pods (30-60 cm)
- Compound leaves with 4-8 pairs of leaflets
- Open, spreading crown
- Smooth gray-green bark (young trees)
During Flowering (Unmistakable!):
- Entire tree covered in golden yellow
- Long pendant flower clusters
- Often leafless when flowering
Where to See Caña Fístula in Costa Rica
| Location | Best Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| La Sabana Park, San José | March-April | Many planted specimens |
| University of Costa Rica | March-April | Campus plantings |
| Central Valley towns | March-May | Street trees |
| Guanacaste roads | March-May | Roadside specimens |
| Hotel gardens | Dry season | Resort plantings |
| Church plazas | Dry season | Traditional plantings |
The best time to see Caña Fístula in Costa Rica is March to May, during the late dry season. Look for golden cascades along: - Main roads in the Central Valley - City parks and plazas - Church yards and cemeteries - Hotel grounds - University campuses A single tree in full bloom is spectacular—multiple trees together are absolutely breathtaking!
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Official plant information
New crops resource online
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Orwa, C. et al. (2009). Cassia fistula. Agroforestree Database. World Agroforestry Centre
Panda, S. et al. (2011). Cassia fistula Linn: A review. International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Chemistry 1(4)
Whistler, W.A. (2000). Tropical Ornamentals: A Guide. Timber Press, Portland
The Caña Fístula teaches us that beauty often follows austerity. After months of dry season, when the landscape turns brown and dusty, this remarkable tree strips itself bare—only to burst forth in the most magnificent display of golden flowers imaginable. It's as if the tree has saved all its energy for one glorious celebration, showering the world in liquid gold. Whether you call it Golden Shower, Ratchaphruek, or Caña Fístula, this tree from distant South Asia has found a welcoming home in Costa Rica, bringing its annual gift of golden beauty to cities and countryside alike.
