Pseudocassia

Pseudocassia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, native to the Neotropics. It is closely related to the genus Cassia, from which it was formerly included, but differs in having stipules that are not fused to the petiole. The genus currently contains around 10 species, with Pseudocassia elata being the most widely known.

Pseudocassia plants are typically small to medium-sized trees, growing up to 15 meters in height. They are characterized by their pinnate leaves, which are composed of 7 to 11 leaflets. The flowers are typically yellow or orange, and are arranged in racemes or panicles. The fruit is a flat pod, containing several seeds.

Pseudocassia species are often used in reforestation efforts due to their fast growth rate and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. They are also used in traditional medicine, particularly in the treatment of respiratory ailments. However, some species are considered invasive in certain regions, due to their ability to outcompete native vegetation.

The genus Pseudocassia was first described by the botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth in 1818. The type species is Pseudocassia elata. The genus name Pseudocassia is derived from the Greek words pseudo, meaning "false," and cassia, referring to the similar genus Cassia.