Cassia sieberiana aka Drumstick Tree

Cassia sieberiana also goes by the name West African laburnum. It belongs to Fabaceae, the pea family. Its native range runs from western tropical Africa to northwestern Uganda. It grows in places with a clear dry season. Wild plants grow in savannah, wooded grassland, scrub, and forest. They also grow by roads and on sandstone plateaux. Some grow in wet grassland sites or forests along waterways.

This shrub or small tree sheds its leaves. Its crown starts to branch low down. Useful Tropical Plants gives a usual height of 7–39 feet [2–12 metres]. Garden sources give heights and spreads of 49 feet [15 metres]. Some trees reach 66 feet [20 metres]. The dark grey bark has a wrinkled surface. Bright yellow flowers grow in groups that stand upright or hang. They stand out as the tree blooms without leaves. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. The tree bears seedpods that people pick for use in folk medicine.

Grow it in full sun, in soil that drains well. It prefers deep sandy loam that is not too rich or poor. Acidic, sandy soil suits it best. PFAF says it also tolerates clay and slightly alkaline soil. It thrives in dry tropical savannah where rainfall is modest. Sources give yearly rainfall of 31 inches or less. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12, making this a warm-climate tree. It grows at a moderate rate and responds to coppicing, or cutting back to the base. Despite its family, detailed accounts say its roots do not fix nitrogen.

People plant it for its flowers and along avenues. They also use it in belts of trees that give shelter. Its hard, heavy wood resists termites but is hard to work. People use it for furniture, tools, building work, and railway sleepers. The heartwood looks pale when first cut, then turns dark red. People burn the wood, though it gives off much smoke. They use root wood as chewing sticks. Fresh seed sprouts well; older seed needs treatment before sowing. Growers can also use air layering or side grafting.

Sources differ on its use as food. PFAF lists leaves and stems, plus a sweet stem extract. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known edible uses. Folk medicine uses the leaves, roots, bark, and pods. Reported uses include purgatives to clear the bowels and diuretics to increase urine flow. People also use these parts to treat skin complaints. These records do not show that home treatment is safe. In parts of Africa, people use roots and seeds as fish poison. This calls for care, despite the few reports of food use.