Here are 2 pictures of the golden shower tree (also known as the Cassia fistula). I just happen to see it in my locality - These days all golden shower trees in Karachi are looking like this, amazingly without a single green leaf on the tree. One of the few native plants from my area of the world that actually looks good! Here is a link which has more information about this tree. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia_fistula Golden Shower Tree 1 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) Golden Shower Tree 2 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
Actually Jerry, people here seem to have acquired a sickness (kind of anyway), to simply ignore the majority of our own local plants - And buy the costly imported ones (as a status symbol)... Even if the plant dies in a few months doesn't seem to matter much. Heck, even most of our plant nurseries also are too happy to push imported plants at you (as they get to profit more from the purchase of those). And the sooner the plant dies due to our hot weather, the better for also (as you'll go to them again to buy another). So this is mainly why a lot of our own local plants are now neglected... Of course, logic dictates that if you put local plants in your home, than changes of failure are minimal (as they would already be accustomed to our weather). But when the simple and pleasurable activity of gardening too becomes a symbol of social status - Is when logic too goes straight out the window... In my childhood, I remember seeing these trees on almost every street corner. But now I see just a few in my whole area. Only because this is a local tree, and thus not glamorous enough. Of course, if some plant nursery start to selling them under some other name, (falsely labeling it as an imported plant from some exotic region of the globe) - Then this tree would once again be seen in almost every house!!! Such is the mindset of the people in my silly city!
We have these flanking motorways here. When they bloom, it's such a sight to behold! I like them as much as the flamboyant (gulmohar) trees!
S-H that's sad when people take local plants for granted and the imports can bite you! Some imports are so invasive, they can become a big problem! As those who live in the southern US can attest -kudzu is a prime example! It can cover acres -everything, barns, abandoned sheds and houses! I love your yellow tree! It looks like it 'stole' some sunlight. Do you have local legends about this plant?
S-H, that is a beautiful tree. Thanks for sharing it with us. It is too bad that people are seeking out non native species when the native ones survive so much better. You can be a rebel and start planting all native plants in your garden. Purple loose strife and japanese knot weed... Horrible. I don't know if they were imported or hitched a ride to here in another plant or seed, but
Oh yes, the Gulmohar tree - Another local and very beautiful tree (also known as Delonix Regia). They also smell wonderful after it rains! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delonix_regia Unfortunately, the Gulmohar tree too is falling out of favor. For the same reason I mentioned in my post above. Actually, no... The weather here can get so hot and harsh, that I in my whole life do not recall seeing any imported plant do well here - Except for maybe the Conocarpus Erectus (see link below). You see, our soil also is very sandy and salty (as we are situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea). So hardly anything survives here, unless it is extremely drought resistant as well as salt tolerant... http://karachi.metblogs.com/2009/05/20/the-conocarpus/ No, not really (regarding local legends). But you are correct in saying that it looks as if it is a hoarder of sunlight. It does however has some type of sweet nectar, as I've seen this tree attract ants. Well, to be 100% honest, the problem is in the mindset of people (who have in my opinion become too class conscious nowadays)... They don't want to be seen as commoners, so they make it a point to have only costly imported plants and trees in their gardens. Imported plants (even though they do not do well in our weather) seems to have been tied with one's social status... And the plant nurseries are also to blame for this, as they deliberately go out of their way to push imported plants (as they get to profit more from selling those). So this Golden Shower tree, as well as the Gulmohar tree which our member Qubee mentioned above - Are slowly falling out of favor, and instead I get to see trees like the Ravenala Madagascariensis (Travelers Palm tree) growing where these local trees where once planted. But you know what? Out of pure spite, I am now going to plant a Golden Shower tree in home too! And will also make it a point to plant at least one more somewhere, every year!!!
S-H, I really love this tree. I would like to have one of them. It's not the same as the Golden Chain Tree. I went out and got a couple of them. Barb in Pa.
I just Googled up for it's seeds - And so found this place: http://www.seedshelf.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=351
