Cassia Leptophylla

Cassia Leptophylla (Gold medallion) is a fast growing evergreen tree, of moderate size. It reaches a height of up to 25 feet. It has a straight trunk with lightly furrowed, reddish brown bark sometimes with vertical streaks. Additionally,  it has a shapely, open-headed, spreading bushy crown with slightly drooping branch tips. Along with green leaves, that are compound pinnate, 12 to 18 inches long with 8 to 12 pairs of narrow leaflets, 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 x 1/2 – 3/4 inches. And, flowers are borne in spherical clusters 6-8 inches long; individual blooms are deep yellow, 2-3 inches wide.

While, fruits are hard, 4-sided, woody pods, up to 16 inches long and 1 inch thick; they are commonly green turning brown and twisted at maturity. They also contain numerous seeds, which are considered poisonous, and used for propagation.

In cultivation, the Cassia Leptophylla (Gold medallion) prefers well-drained loam or sand soils; it has no major pest or disease problems, but requires pruning to manage its low spreading growth form and to prevent pod formation after flowering. This is an excellent showy tree for general landscaping in gardens and parks, along street sides and medians, and as an accent or specimen tree.