Cassia surattensis Seeds | Scrambled Egg Tree
LATIN NAME: Cassia surattensis
COMMON NAME: Scrambled Egg Tree
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Scrambled Egg Tree, Cassia surattensis is a noteworthy species. When it flowers, local bees and other insects make good use of it. In combination, these characteristics make a persuasive case for growing it.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Cassia surattensis ranges from the botany of the Cassia group to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Its fast growth and prolific seeding have also made it a subject of some invasive-species monitoring in parts of the Pacific where it has naturalised beyond cultivation. For researchers, plants like this one offer practical material for propagation studies and selection work.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Scrambled Egg Tree earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Scrambled egg tree’s near-continuous yellow flowering makes it a reliable, low-maintenance ornamental shrub for warm gardens wanting sustained colour rather than a single dramatic seasonal event. Its fast growth also makes it useful for quick screening or informal hedging in frost-free climates. In later seasons it demands little more than an appreciative eye.
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Growing from Seed
Scrambled Egg Tree grows readily from seed. Nick or lightly sand hard seed coat and soak it in warm water overnight before sowing into a loose, free-draining tropical mix. Bright light suits this fast-growing species well, and it typically flowers within its first year or two, providing reliable, near-continuous colour in suitable warm climates. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Scrambled Egg Tree is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Start with fresh seed, keep it evenly moist, and the plant does the rest itself.
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