Flowers on a Golden Shower Tree

Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

I was outdoors trying to photograph some birds.  They were not cooperating.  They kept hiding in the trees!  Not to be defeated, I decided to take some pictures of the flowering trees instead.  Here is one of those shots.

These are the flowers on a Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula).  The blossoms grow in pendulous clusters called a 'racemes' -- sort of like an upside-down bouquet.  When fully in bloom, the tree looks like a golden cloud from a distance.  Later, long bean-shaped seed pods will replace the flowers.

Shower trees are native to south Asia, but are very popular here in Hawaii where they are seen along streets, and in parks, as well as in people's gardens.  They come in several color varieties.