TREES

Cassia leptophylla

Cassia leptophylla (Gold Medallion Tree) - Native to Brazil, a broad semi-evergreen tree to 20 to 25 ft. tall that has reddish-brown bark with low branches that are somewhat pendulous towards the tips with 1 foot long compound leaves. Deep yellow flowers appear in early to mid-summer, with scattered blooming later. The flowers are followed by 1 to 2 foot long bean-like pods that are square in cross section. Plant in full sun in a fairly well-drained soil and give occasional to little irrigation. Hardy to about 25 degrees F and tolerant to short duration freezes a bit lower. This is the most common and reliable of the Cassias in southern California – it was first planted in the Los Angeles County Arboretum in 1958 and has become increasingly popular over time. It can be a little fussy in heavy soils that are over irrigated but in general it has been a very reliable tree in Southern California landscapes.

Cassia