Thursday, May 21, 2009

Popcorn Cassia Plant - Cassia didymobotrya

Popcorn Cassia, Peanut Butter Senna
Cassia didymobotry
Family: Caesalpinioideae / Caesalpiniaceae
Origin: Tropical East Africa

The Popcorn Cassia can be a shrub or small tree. It produces golden-yellow flowers with a distinct scent of peanut butter or popcorn that open from brown buds in late summer and early fall. This plant grows rapidly. This elegant tree has arching branches with leaves that are feather-like. Also called Popcorn Cassia, because it smells like fresh cooked, buttered popcorn when you run your fingers through the leaves and then smell. It blooms beautiful large clusters of sunny yellow flowers. Small, individual leaflets form alongside the leaf stalk. Sow seed at 64-70 degrees F in a standard potting mix. Grows in full light, water freely during growing season and feed once a month. Min. temp. 61 degrees F. This plant grows well in Arizona and likes the sun.

Height:
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)

Spacing:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Bloom Color:
Gold (Yellow-Orange)

Bloom Time:
Late Summer/Early Fall

Foliage:
Evergreen

Other details:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Provides winter interest

Propagation Methods:
From woody stem cuttings
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel

Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds

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