CASSIA

CASSIA is also the botanical name of a large genus of Leguminosæ (sub-order Cæsalpineæ), trees, shrubs, and even herbs. Some are cultivated on account of their graceful foliage and handsome yellow flowers; their chief importance is, however, medical, the leaves of several species furnishing Senna (q.v.), while the drug known as Cassia Fistula or Purging Cassia is derived from the pod of Cassia Fistula, of which the bark is used in tanning, and also yields a yellow dye. The name, however, in ancient writers clearly applies to a tubular bark, no doubt some variety of the spice Cassia above mentioned (q.v.). For Poet's Cassia, see CASIA.