Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston

A prickly, climbing or scandent shrub, up to 10 m tall. Pinnae in 4-15 pairs, leaflets in 5-12 pairs, oval oblong, 8-25 mm x 3-10 mm shortly petiolate. Flowers in long racemes, large, with petals 12-15 mm long, bright yellow. Pods oblong elliptic, 6-10 cm x 2.5-3 cm, keeled or winged, and beaked, 4-8 seeded.

C. decapetala is found in thickets, light forests and forest borders, in Indo-China up to 1200 m. In Indonesia C. decapetala occurs in mountainous areas at altitudes of 1200-1700 m.

Plants are propagated by seed.

During the first two years, watering is necessary in the dry season. Mature trees require no care, and forage crops can be planted between trees.

Pests: Stored seeds of C. decapetala are reported to be attacked by beetles.

Boundary or barrier or support: C. decapetala is sometimes cultivated as a hedge plant.

Tannin or dyestuff: The bark has tanning properties. Medicine: The seeds can be used as anthelmintic, antipyretic, analgesic and to treat dysentry and malaria.