Cassia, << KASH uh or KAS ee uh, >> is the name of a group of plants found mainly in warm and tropical regions. Some botanists place more than 500 species in this group. Cassias range from low herbs to trees more than 50 feet (15 meters) high. Most cassias have showy yellow flowers.
Many species of cassias are cultivated for their leaves and fruits, which contain medicinal compounds. The dried leaves of various species, cultivated chiefly in Africa and India, supply senna, a drug used as a laxative. The seed pods of certain species are dried and used like senna.
The name cassia also refers to a tree of the laurel family. The bark of this tree is used like cinnamon. See Cinnamon .
