| DESCRIPTION: It is a small, rounded deciduous tree reaching 7-15 m in height and 30 cm in trunk diameter, with a spreading crown. Bole is short, tends to fork near the ground and is wide spreading with drooping, leafy branches. Bark smooth, grey with horizontal markings. USE: The tree provides forage for bees, firewood, charcoal and timber for small implements. It can be grown for shade, as an ornamental and in Uganda, it is widely cultivated as a boundary marker. Leaves can be used as mulch. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: calceolaria shower, cassia, pisabed, yellow shower (English). FURTHER INF: It is native to tropical America and has been introduced to Africa as an ornamental. It is planted in the subtropical moist and lower and upper cordillera zones in central Puerto Rico. The species is also planted throughout tropical America including southern Florida and the Caribbean, south to Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. It is tolerant of cool conditions and grows in deep, moist, sandy or loamy soils but flourishes even in poor, black cotton soils. |
