Chamaecrista fasciculata
| Chamaecrista fasciculata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Chamaecrista fasciculata (common name: golden cassia)
Propagation: Seed - scarify and then pre-soak the seed for 2 - 3 hours in warm water before sowing it from early spring to early summer in a warm greenhouse[1]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 12 weeks at 23°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse. Do not plant them out until the following spring[1].
Division as growth commences in spring[2].
Cuttings of moderately ripe wood, July in a frame[3].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most well-drained soils but prefers an open sandy loam in a sunny sheltered position[3][4]. Established plants are drought tolerant[4]. Succeeds in light shade, but the plant is much less vigorous when grown in dry shade[4].
Young plants should be mulched each winter until they are well established[4].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4].
Range: Eastern, Central and South-eastern N. America.
Habitat: Open woods and prairies, disturbed areas, often on sandy soils[5].
Usage: Plants have an extensive root system and are used to stabilize soils.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant is considered toxic for grazing animals[5].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.