Subtribe Cassiinae Higher classification Cassieae | Tribe Cassieae Scientific name Cassia Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications Golden shower tree, Cassia javanica, Cassia grandis, Cassia bakeriana Craib, Cassia ferruginea | ||
Cassia is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae, and the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. Species are known commonly as cassias. Cassia is also the English common name of some species in the genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae. Species of the genera Senna and Chamaecrista were previously included in Cassia. Cassia now generally includes the largest species of the legume subtribe Cassiinae, usually mid-sized trees.
Contents
- Ecology
- Uses
- Systematics and taxonomy
- Species
- Species names with uncertain taxonomic status
- Hybrids
- References
Ecology
Cassia species occur in a range of climates. Some can be utilized widely as ornamental plants. They have been used in reforestation projects, and species from desert climates can be used to prevent desertification.
Cassia species are used as food plants by the caterpillars of many lepidopteran taxa. For example, the skipper Astraptes fulgerator and the pierids Catopsilia pomona and C. pyranthe are all seen on Cassia fistula. The latter utilizes several other cassias, as well.
The plant pathogenic viruses cassia yellow blotch bromovirus and cassia yellow spot potyvirus were first described from Cassia.
Uses
Because the name Cassia is not precise, it is sometimes difficult to know what is meant by references to plants known as "cassias". Cassia gum, for example, is made from Senna obtusifolia, a species formerly included in genus Cassia.
Genera Cassia and Senna are both known in systems of traditional medicine. Cassia fistula, for example, is used in Ayurvedic medicine.
There exists some culinary use for cassias. The fruit of some species is edible. Some have toxins in their seeds, however.
Systematics and taxonomy
There are hundreds of Cassia species, but it is unclear just how many. One estimate stands at 692. The genus was a wastebasket taxon for a long time, used to classify plants that did not fit well anywhere else. Over 1000 species have belonged to Cassia over the years. Many taxa have since been transferred to more appropriate genera, such as Senna.
Species
Cassia comprises the following species:
Species names with uncertain taxonomic status
The status of the following species is unresolved:
Hybrids
The following hybrids have been described: