Some text list this species a Senna which is probably true enough, but I have known it as Cassia and most of the Tanzanian experts I know still use the old name.Cassia simea was differentiated from spectabilis in the areas I worked, some saying it was red. Many preferred simea, to spectabilis but actually I didn't because it was susceptable to a mildew in just about all areas.
Description: An evergreen small tree >20m but usually smaller. Bark grey-brown. Compound leaves - stalk to 30cm. Shiny top and dull beneath. Flowers yellow in heads. The seed pod is flat, curved and indented - brownish-red. 20 seeds in pod, flattish.
Uses : Firewood, charcoal, poles, medicine, ornamental. shade, soil conservation, windbreak.
Propagation: 40 000 seeds per kg. Fresh seed need no treatment, or older 48 hours cold water soak. Direct sow. Seed can be kept for about a year.
Management: Used mainly for shade/shelter and ornament. Firewood is smokey. It is fast to establish and is a coppicing species. I suspect it prefers drier conditions.
I found it a little more difficult to propagate in the nursery.
Cassia spectabilis.
More usually called Mjohoro, but the official Swahili name is Mhoba.
The tree is from South America and will tolerate cooler conditions 15 - 20 degrees C.
Description: A small, rounded deciduous tree <10m.>40cm - leaflets are pointed. Flowers are golden yellow clusters. Seed pods are long cylindrical and flattened with seeds in compartments. Turning from green to black.
Uses: Firewood, charcoal, tool handles, shade, ornamental.
Propagation: There are 40 000 seed per kg - small hard seeds.The recommendation is to hot water soak, but I found that best results were to nick the seed coat. Just a small nick to let moisture in.
Management: The wood is resistant to termites and this assists in establishment. The tree grows quickly. Protect from goats, sheep and hens.
Some have said that these species are poisonous to bees. One fellow told me that he saw many dead bees beneath a tree. On questioning him, he said he didn't actually see the dead bees but was told about it.
It does not seem logical that a tree would poison bees - a Cassia endemic to India does though - probably where the story comes from. Even Tutu here in New Zealand gives honey that poisons man, but it does not worry bees!
The flowers are too big for honey bees, which is why they don't use it. However the big bumble bee common in Tanzania does utilise the flowers.
These trees look magnificent in rows with their yellow flowers.
