Long-Pod-Cassia

Cassia abbreviata

Native to:
Botswana, Caprivi Strip, DR Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Cassia
Species:
Cassia abbreviata
USDA Symbol:
CAAB13

Growth Characteristics

Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jan,sep,oct,nov,dec
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, birds, elephants, browsers
Fragrant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rootstock after fire; commonly found in fire-prone African savanna and woodland ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to savanna regions; drought-tolerant

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds have hard coat requiring scarification; soaking in hot water or mechanical scarification improves germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI