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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Fabaceae = Pea Family |
| Origin: South America |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Synonyms: [Senna spectabilis var. excelsa, Cassia carnival] |
| Height: 20-30 feet |
| Width: 20-30 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Senna spectabilis (Crown of Gold Tree) A fast growing medium sized fine textured tree with a dense rounded crown to 20-30 feet tall and wide in cultivation; in its native habitat gets much larger and is listed as a tree reaching to 60 feet in height in tropical America. It has bright green tropical looking pinnately compound leaves that are 7 to 18 inches long and composed of pairs of 1 to 3 inch long leaflets that are slightly fuzzy on the undersides. In late summer and early fall appear the 1 foot to 18 inch long spikes of 1 inch wide bright yellow flowers that rise about the foliage and are followed by narrow cylindrical dark seed pods. Plant in full sun in a relatively well-drained soil and irrigate regularly to occasionally in warmer months. This tree loves heat and can remain fully evergreen in warm years but can also tolerate cold temperatures down to around 26°F and then remains deciduous from late winter into early spring. It is noted as disliking cold moist soils so decent drainage is crucial in our climate. This plant can be so heavy in flower that lower branches droop to the ground with the weight of the flowers and can be trimmed up for clearance. It is a great tree in near frost-free locations, for large planters, patio tree, parking lot islands and street tree use - there are some very nice specimen street trees of this species on lower State Street in Santa Barbara. It comes from Central and South America from Argentina in the south to southern Mexico and the Caribbean islands and in its native habitat is known as Canafistola Do Boi and Cassia-do-nordeste. In the past this species has been listed as Cassia spectabilis, C. excelsa, C. carnival and Senna spectabilis var. excelsa but all are now considered synonymous with Senna spectabilis var. spectabilis.
The information about Senna spectabilis that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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