Golden

Another example of this beautiful species of Golden Shower tree that is in its peak now. This tree is across from the Emergency entrance to South Miami Hospital.

Golden Shower

The golden shower trees are beautiful flowering trees that display long pendant clusters of bright yellow flowers at this time of the year to complement the red poincianas. Unfortunately, they are prone to being toppled by high winds. Hurricane Andrew destroyed the majority of them in Miami and this is one of the few survival of this species.

Please Don't Eat Me!

The flowers of the "Golden Shower" tree, up close! This is the national flower of Thailand and is used in its Royal Flora Ratchaphruek flower festival, named after the tree. In Ayurvedic medicine, Golden Shower tree is known as aragvadha ("disease killer"). Its fruit pulp is used as mild laxative, against fevers, arthritis, vatavyadhi (nervous system diseases), all kinds of rakta-pitta (bleeding, such as hematemesis or hemorrhages), as well as cardiac conditions and stomach problems such as acid reflux. The root is considered a very strong purgative, and self-medication or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts. I think the statement above (obviously not from me and plagiarized from elsewhere) is a shameless self plug for some Ayurvedic practitioners, don't you think? Please do not eat any part of this tree and blame me.