Woody > Cassia > Cassia javanica > Cassia javanica
Cassia javanica
Apple Blossom Tree, Apple Blossom Cassia
Origin: Native to China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Thailand, and through many of the Pacific Islands.
Mike's
Opinion
"
The Apple Blossom tree is a very beautiful and valuable tree for its ornamental and landscaping uses. It is multi-seasonal with pretty pale pink to crimson flowers in the spring and glossy green foliage in the summer that turns golden in autumn. In winter the grey bark and drooping branches are significant in the cultured landscape.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Fabaceae |
| Genus |
| Cassia |
| Species |
| javanica |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 9a - 12b |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 9b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 19 - 25 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 25 |
| Height |
| 25 m |
| Spread |
| 25 m (frequently with multiple trunks) |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| The Apple Blossom tree can range from a semi-deciduous to a deciduous flowering tree and is medium-sized with drooping branches. Leaves are a glossy green, but some leaves can have a matte look to them. The mass flowering can occur from April to September, with flowers of pink to pale rose with some even having a crimson shade. |
| Landscape |
| With the mass flowering in spring to summer, the glossy green leaves and drooping branches and the yellow colour in the autumn, all combine to make it an ideal landscape tree. |
| Cultivation |
| It is drought tolerant and is suited t a range of well drained soils. The Apple Blossom Tree prefers full to partial sun. It can be pollarded and coppiced vigourously. |
| Shape |
| Broad and flat crown, the tree can reach heights of 25 m on average. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| It has flowers that bear 10 uneven yellow stigma. The surrounding petals can range from colours of pale pink to crimson. Glossy green alternate, compound leaves cover the branches ranging in shape from elliptic to oblong. The apple blossom tree has a very broad and flat topped crown. |
| Pests |
| Mostly pest and disease free, but once sapwood is exposed, it becomes susceptible to lyctus. |
| Habitat |
| It is found in elevations up to 400 m. and is typically found in open sites in the forest, but can also occur in primary closed evergreen forest. It is also found in deciduous monsoon forest and open or even savanna-like habitats. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| It has a smooth, flat bark that is grey colour. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Medium to small buds, non-sticky and brown colour. |
| Leaf Description |
| Compound leaves with up to 10 leaflets on one stem, and their shapes can range from elliptic to oblong and glossy green. |
| Flower Description |
| The Apple Blossom flowers are composed of 10 uneven stamen, each one is a bright yellow colour which stands out against the pale pink and crimson of the Apple Blossom flowers, which closely resemble an apple blossom, hence how the Cassia javanica got its nickname, The Apple Blossom Tree. |
| Fruit Description |
| The fruit can grow to be 25 cm long with cylindrical pods that are very narrow. |
| Colour Description |
| The Apple Blossom tree has a brilliant display of colour all year long, starting in the early spring months when the trees are covered in glossy green leaves. Later spring and summer is when the Apple Blossom blooms in an explosion of pale pink, yellows, and crimson flowers, added to those glossy green leaves. In autumn, the glossy green leaves turn matte and yellow, and some orange. Finally in winter, the grey bark stands out in snow-covered landscape. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium and/or fine, depending on the growing habitat. |
| Propagation |
| Easily germinated from fresh seed with 80% of the seeds germinating after about one week and complete germination occurring in about two weeks. Fresh seed can only be stored for a short period of time while it is reported that dry seed can be stored for up to one year. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| The fruit is commonly used as a traditional laxative in the Indonesian area, and the seeds can be used in tannin, which is the tanning of leather. In addition, the Apple Blossom tree is a very popular timber species since the wood produced doesn't expand when dried out and it has an intense red colour that can be used in finishing work. |
References
Bryant,G & Rodd, T. (2011)Trees and Shrubs.Buffalo:Firefly Books.
Konemann,( 2006 ) Botanic’s pocket – Trees & Shrubs. Australia : Random House Australia.
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