Golden shower tree, cassia fistula, Shonalu
Shonalu or Golden shower tree (cassia fistula, family: fabaceae) is a medium-sized deciduous tree attaining a height of 8-10 m. This fast growing tree is native to South and Southeast Asia. Common names: Shonail, Shonalu, Bandor-lathi, Flame of the forest, Golden shower tree. In Bangladesh, the tree is very renowned for its fabulous golden flowers. The gum, seeds and bark of cassia fistula are used in skin diseases and snake poison. Fruit is effective in constipation. It has strong and very durable wood. Cassia fistula is the national flower of Thailand. Monkeys used to play with the sticky fruits of cassia fistula and for this reason the local people of Bangladesh called it Bandor-lathi (Monkey stick). The golden shower tree is the state flower of Kerala . The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala, and the tree was depicted on a 20- rupee stamp. The g...