A few questions on Cassia fistula

[Kostas]

Hello

I have been traveling in Israel for the past week and came across Cassia fistula trees in full bloom and 1 with mature seed pods as well,from which I collected a seed pod. This seemed to be a lone specimen in the town and didn't see any other around there. What are the chances the seeds I collected to be pure? The seedpods were huge,around 50-60cm long and 2cm wide,so I guess there are fertile seeds in there. The flowers were bright yellow in long pendant inflorescences so the motherplant itself seems pure. There are unfortunately good chances of other Cassia sp. being present but I didnt see any Cassia javanica around or other look alike species,only erect inflorescence, yellow flowered species that could belong to the Cassia genus. So,what are the chances of the resulting seedlings being pure and how can I tell possible hybrids from the true species early on,without waiting for flowers? How easily does Cassia fistula hybridize with other xerophytic Cassia species?(the smaller leafed ones from arid regions such as those native to my country and other commonly cultivated species,excluding the rainforest species)

I would also like to ask you if this species keeps it's leafs yearround when it has plenty of water available yearround.

Thank you very much in advance!

[chris78]

I been to Israel many times and lived there, Cassia fistula is the most common cassia cultivated in Israel. When they are in flower (June-July) there are not any other Cassia’s in bloom. The erect inflorescence, yellow flowered trees you saw are Peltophorum sps, a commonly used street tree planted in Israel, which are in flower now as well. Other than Cassia fistula they are not many other tropical cassias cultivated in Israel, even through other tropical species would grow well there. The other cassia species sometime used in Israel are of the fall flowering types. So most likely the seeds you got are pure and will grow to be Cassia fistula.

In Arizona where I live, Cassia fistula will keep their leaves all winter, unless we have a hard freeze, then they would drop in winter. Other wise they will drop at the time of flowering which is also mid June to July. In Israel we would get strong winter rain storms with high wind and they would blow off the leaves sometimes, I am not sure if you get these same storms in Greece or as Intense as we would get in Israel.

New leaves are produced as the tree finishes flowering...

Edited July 10, 2012 by chris78