North America Non-native Plant

Cassia Australis

Botanical name: Cassia australis

USDA symbol: CAAU22

Native status: Not native but doesn't reproduce and persist in the wild

Cassia australis: The Mysterious Australian Cassia If you’ve come across the name Cassia australis in your plant research, you’re not alone in finding limited information about this particular species. This botanical name represents one of the more elusive members of the Cassia genus, and frankly, reliable details about this specific ...

Cassia australis: The Mysterious Australian Cassia

If you’ve come across the name Cassia australis in your plant research, you’re not alone in finding limited information about this particular species. This botanical name represents one of the more elusive members of the Cassia genus, and frankly, reliable details about this specific plant are surprisingly scarce in horticultural literature.

What We Know (And Don’t Know)

Cassia australis belongs to the dicot group of flowering plants, but beyond this basic classification, concrete information becomes murky. The species name australis typically indicates an association with southern regions or Australia, but without verified documentation, we can’t definitively state its native range or geographical distribution.

The Identification Challenge

Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating): the lack of readily available, authoritative information about Cassia australis might indicate several possibilities:

  • It could be a rarely documented or regional species
  • The name might be synonymous with another, more commonly recognized Cassia species
  • It might be an outdated taxonomic classification that has since been reclassified

Should You Plant It?

Without reliable information about Cassia australis’s growing requirements, native status, or potential invasiveness, we can’t provide specific cultivation advice. If you’re considering adding this plant to your garden, we strongly recommend:

  • Verifying the plant’s identity with local botanical experts
  • Confirming its native status in your region
  • Checking with local extension services about any restrictions

Native Alternatives to Consider

Instead of pursuing this mysterious Cassia, why not explore well-documented native legumes in your area? Many regions have beautiful native species that offer:

  • Proven pollinator benefits
  • Known growing requirements
  • Established roles in local ecosystems
  • Reliable cultivation information

The Bottom Line

Cassia australis remains something of a botanical puzzle. While the name exists in some plant databases, the lack of detailed horticultural information makes it difficult to recommend for home gardens. Your best bet? Consult with local native plant societies or botanical gardens who might have regional expertise about this particular species.

Sometimes the most honest gardening advice is admitting when we need more information—and Cassia australis is definitely one of those cases where further research is needed before we can offer solid growing guidance.

Cassia Australis

Classification

Group

Dicot

Kingdom

Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom

Tracheobionta - Vascular plants

Superdivision

Spermatophyta - Seed plants

Division

Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants

Subdivision
Class

Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons

Subclass

Rosidae

Order

Fabales

Family

Fabaceae Lindl. - Pea family

Genus

Cassia L. - cassia

Species

Cassia australis Sims

Plant data source: USDA, NRCS 2025. The PLANTS Database. https://plants.usda.gov,. 2/25/2025. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA