Gold Medallion Tree (Cassia Leptophylla)

Gold Medallion Tree, known botanically as Cassia leptophylla, is a broad semi-evergreen tree that grows up to 20 to 25 feet tall. In early to mid-summer clusters of 2 to 3 inch wide deep yellow flowers appear, with scattered blooming later in the year.

The flowers are followed by 1 to 2 foot long bean-like pods that are square in cross section. Best planted in full sun in a fairly well-drained soil and given occasional to little irrigation, Cassia is hardy to about 25 degrees F and tolerant to short duration freezes a bit lower.

The name Cassia is from the ancient Greek 'Kassia', a name for the biblical kassian plants that provided senna leaves and pods for medicinal use.