Golden shower
Cassia fistula, family Fabaceae
A tree with long clusters of bright yellow flowers in late spring and early summer
Golden shower (Cassia fistula) is a medium-sized tree from South and Southeast Asia, known for its striking yellow flower clusters that hang in bunches. It is grown in gardens and along streets, used in festivals, and holds special meaning in Thailand, Kerala, and Sri Lanka.
- National flower and tree of Thailand
- State flower of Kerala, India
- Blooms with bright yellow clusters in late spring and early summer
- Used in Vishu and Lao New Year festivals
- Flowers sometimes eaten in India
What does Golden shower look like?
Golden shower is a tree that reaches 10 to 20 meters in height. Its leaves are made up of several pairs of oval leaflets. When in bloom, the tree is covered with long, hanging clusters of yellow flowers, each with five petals. The flowers grow in bunches up to 40 cm long. After flowering, it produces long, dark seed pods with a strong smell. The wood is known for its strength.
Where does Golden shower come from?
This tree grows naturally in South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia, including India, Myanmar, and nearby regions. Over time, it has been planted widely in tropical and subtropical areas for its decorative flowers. The tree is also found in places like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, and Taiwan, where it has become part of local culture and tradition.
When and how Golden shower blooms
Golden shower blooms in hot, dry weather, usually from late spring to early summer. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can handle drought and a bit of salt. The tree is usually grown from seed and does best where there is a clear difference between summer and winter temperatures. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers, and animals such as jackals help spread the seeds.
How Golden shower is used
People plant golden shower trees in gardens, parks, and along roads for their bright flowers. In Kerala, the flowers are used during the Vishu festival. In Laos, they are offered at temples and hung in homes for the New Year. The flowers are sometimes eaten, and the leaves are fed to livestock. The fruit pulp has traditional uses in herbal medicine, especially in Ayurveda.
Kinds of Golden shower
The tree is known by different names in various regions: 'kani konna' in Kerala, 'Ehela' in Sri Lanka, and 'dok khun' in Thailand and Laos. It is the state flower of Kerala, the national flower and tree of Thailand, and the provincial tree of North Central Province in Sri Lanka. There are no major cultivated varieties mentioned in the sources.
What Golden shower means
Golden shower is a symbol of royalty in Thailand, where its yellow flowers are linked to the king. It appears in festivals, on stamps, and as an emblem in several countries. In Kerala, the flowers are central to the Vishu festival. In Laos, they are tied to the New Year and good luck. The tree is also planted at Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka.
Where Golden shower is used and seen
Traditions that use it
Days and festivals
Questions people ask about Golden shower
Where does the golden shower tree come from?
It is native to South Asia and nearby parts of Southeast Asia, including India and Myanmar, and has spread to other tropical regions.
What does the golden shower tree look like?
It is a medium-sized tree with long, hanging bunches of bright yellow flowers and large, divided leaves. The flowers appear in spring and early summer.
What is the golden shower tree used for?
It is grown for its decorative flowers, used in festivals like Vishu in Kerala and New Year in Laos, and has traditional uses in herbal medicine. The flowers are also sometimes eaten.
What does the golden shower tree mean in different cultures?
In Thailand, it stands for royalty and is the national flower. In Kerala, it is important for the Vishu festival. In Laos, it is linked to good luck and the New Year.
Is the golden shower tree important in any religion?
Yes, it is used in Hindu and Buddhist rituals, especially during festivals in India, Sri Lanka, and Laos.
Good reading and sources
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
- Early konna blooms in Kochi set off alarm bellsThe Hindu, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Cassia fistula on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cassia fistula", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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