Amaltas Flower Plant – Description

The Amaltas plant, also known as Golden Shower Tree, is a beautiful flowering tree famous for its long, hanging clusters of bright yellow flowers.

Botanical Name: Cassia fistula
Family: Fabaceae
Common Names: Amaltas, Golden Shower Tree, Indian Laburnum

Plant Description

Growth Habit: Medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading canopy.

Height: Grows up to 10–20 meters under favorable conditions.

Leaves: Large, pinnate leaves with 4–8 pairs of oval, smooth-edged leaflets.

Bark: Greyish-brown and smooth when young, becoming rough with age.

Flower Characteristics

Flowers are bright golden yellow, arranged in long, drooping clusters (racemes) measuring 20–40 cm.

Blooming season is mainly summer (April–June).

Flowers appear when the tree has shed most of its leaves, creating a striking visual effect.

Mildly fragrant and highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Fruits

Produces long, cylindrical, dark brown pods containing many seeds.

Pods can remain on the tree for a long time after flowering.

Uses

Ornamental: Widely planted along roadsides, gardens, and parks for its stunning flowers.

Medicinal: Used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for digestive and skin-related treatments.

Cultural: National flower of Thailand and associated with Indian festivals and traditions.

Ecological: Improves soil fertility and supports pollinators.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight: Full sun

Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates dry and poor soils

Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

Propagation: By seeds

Maintenance: Low maintenance tree

The Amaltas flower plant is admired for its spectacular golden blooms, medicinal value, and suitability for warm climates, making it an excellent choice for landscaping and avenue planting. 🌼