Candlestick plant, Cassia alata, King of the forest

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 10 min read

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বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Facts of Candlestick plant in simple medical language.
This article explains Candlestick Plant Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Candlestick plant (scientifically called Cassia alata) is also known as King of the forest which is an ornamental plant that blooms yellow flowers. It belongs to Caesalpiniaceae family and is inherent to Americas in tropical areas. It could be found all over the world and is also found in Jamaica. Leaves, roots and barks are used as herbal medicine. Saponins, narengenin, anthraquinones, flavonoids, and yellow chyrsopanic acid are its constituents. It possess various medicinal properties such as infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial.

Facts of Candlestick plant

Name	Candlestick Plant
Scientific Name	Senna alata
Native	Candlestick plant is inherent to tropical South America (French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia).
Common/English Name	Candelabra Bush, Candle Bush, Candelabra Plant, Candlestick Senna, Emperor’s Candlesticks, Empress-Candleplant, Christmas- Candle, Emperor’s Candlesticks, Emperor’s Candle Plant, Golden-Candle Senna, King-of-the-Forest, Golden Candelabra Tree, Ringworm Bush, Ringworm Senna, Ringworm Plant, Ringworm Bush, Ringworm Shrub, Seven Golden Candles, Roman Candle Tree, Seven- Golden-Candlesticks, Winged Senna, Stick Senna, Yellowtop, Ringworm tree
Name in Other Languages	Antilles: Taratana; Argentina: Taperibá Guazú; Bangladesh: Dadmardan, Dadmari; Brazil: Café-Beirão, Fedegoso- Grande, Fedegoso-Gigante, Mangerioba-Do-Pará, Mangerioba- Grande, Mata-Pasto; Brunei: – Dusun: Raun Suluk, Malay: Paaul-Ul, Tarump; Burmese: Pwé: Hsé:Mè:Za.Li, Pway-Mezali, Thinbaw-Mezali; Chamorro: Acapulco, Andadose, Akapuku, Candalaria, Take-Biha; Chinese: Yi Bing Jue Ming, Chi Jia Jue Ming (翅荚决明), Yǒu chì jué míng (有翅决明), ; Chuukese: Arakak, Yarakaak, Arekak; Creole: Zèb À Dartres, Kas Ailé; Czech: Kasie Křídlatá; Fijian: Mbai Ni Thangi; French: Bois Dartre, Catépen, Epis D’or, Dartrier, Quatre Épingle, Dartrier, Plante Des Cros-Cros, Casse Ailée, Buisson De La Gale, Quatre Épingles, Séné ailé; Cuba: Guacamayón, Palo Santo; German: Kerzenstrauch; India:– Assamese: Kharpat, Bengali: Dadmari, Dadmardan, Hindi: Dadmari, Dat-Ka-Pat, Dadmurdan, Datkapat, Vilayati-Agati, Deo-Mardon, Ergaj (एड़गज), Prapunnad (प्रपुन्नाड); Kannada: Doddasagate, Shime- Agase, Sheemigida, Simyagase, Dhavala Gida, Seeme Agase, Dodda Thagache, Seeme Thangadi, Dodda Thangadi, Daddumardu, Doddacagate, Dahvala, Doddachagate, Puritappu, Simeyagase, Simeagase, Dhawala Gida, Dodda Chagache, Sime Agase (ಸೀಮೆ ಅಗಸೆ); Malayalam: Chakrathakara, Elakajam, Simayakatti, Shima-Akatti, Shimayakatti, Simaagati, Puzhukkadikonna, Puzhukkadithakara, Seema-agathi, Aanattakara (ആനത്തകര), Puzhukkadittakara (പുഴുക്കാടിത്തകര), Malamtakara (മലന്തകര), Seema Agatti (ശീമ അഗത്തി ); Manipuri: Daopata, Marathi: Dadamardana, Tuihlo, Shimai Agase (शिमई अगसे), Oriya: Jadumari, Urdu: Ergaj (ايڙگج), Sanskrit: Dadrughna, Dvipagasti, Uranakshaka (उरणक्षकः), Urabhrh (उरभ्रः), Edagaja (एडगजः), Prapunal (प्रपुनाल); Tamil: Cimai-y-akatti (சீமையகத்தி), Vantu-kolli (வண்டுகொல்லி), Anjali, Vandukolli, Shimai-Agatti, Simaiyagatti, Vandugolli, Peyakatti, Vandu- Rolli, Vantukkolli, Alata, Malai Tagarai, Seemai Agathi, Pei Agathi, Vandu Kolli, Seemaiagatti, Seemai Agathy, Semmai Agatti, Vendukolli, Sheemai- Agatti, Vendu- Kolli, Vandu Kollu, Calavakatti, Seemie Aghatee, Calavakatticceti, Cimaiakatti, Cimaiyakatti, Cintuki, Cimaiyavutti, Cirikai, Cintukiyakatti, Kacampakatti, Pairavam, Karccakkinam2, Pairavamaram, Ponnakatti, Puliyacikam, Puliyacikacceti, Pulukkolli 2, Tatturukkinam, Tiruttavutti, Tiruttakattimaram, Vantukatiyilai, Vantunelli 2, Telugu: Mettatamara, Shima- Avishi-Chettu, Sheemaavisi, Sima Avisl, Simayavisa, Seemaavasie, Mitta Tamara, Seemaavise, Simaavishi, Simaavisi, Mettataamara, Simayavise, Seema Avise, Seemayavisa, Avicicettu (అవిచిచెట్టు), Tantemu (తంటెము), Metta-tamara (మెట్టతామర), Siima Avise (సీమ అవిసె); Indonesia:- Malay, Manado: Ketepeng, Daun Kupang, Java: Ketepeng, Ketepeng China, Ketepeng Kebo, Sundanese: Ketepeng Badak, Ketepeng Manila; Japanese: Kyandorubusshu, Kasshia Arata; Kapingamarangi: Tirakahonuki, Rakau Honuki, Tuhkehn Kilin Wai; Khmer: Dang Het; Kwara‘Ae: Bakua; Laotian: Khi Let Ban; Malaysia:- Peninsular: Gelenggang, Ludangan, Gelenggang Besar, Daun Kurap, Iban— Sarawak: Daun Sulok, Rugan, Gelingok, Serugan, Melanau— Sarawak: Daun Ingram, Tarum, Malay—Sarawak: Solok; Mexico: Flor Del Secreto; Nicaragua: Soroncontil; Niuean: Mulamula; Palauan: Kerula Besokel, Yult; Papua New Guinea:- Harigen, Sepik: Kabaiuara, Gaire and Tubusereia , Central Province: Levoanna, Awala, Northern Province: Orere; Philippines:- Bagobo: Buni-Buni, Bikol: Kasitas, Bisaya: Kasitas, Palo-China, Cebu Bisaya: Sunting, Igorot: Ancharasi, Iloko: Andadasi, Andadasi-Ng- Bugbug tong, Andadasi-A-Dadakell, Pampangan: Pakayomkom-Kastila, Subanum: Kapis, Sulu: Andalan, Akapulko, Tagalog: Akapulko, Bikas-Bikas, Bayabasin, Gamotsa-Buni, Katanda, Kapurko, Sonting, Pakagonkon, Tinggian: Adadisi; Pohnpeian: Truk-En-Kili-N-Wai; Portuguese: Alcapulco, Cortalinde, Dartial, Café Beirão, Fedegoso, Fedegosão, Mangerioba-Do-Pará, Fedegoso- Gigante, Mangerioba- Grande, Mata-Pasto-Grande; Samoan: Fa‘I Lafa, La‘Au Fa‘I Lafa, Fa‘I Lafa, La‘Au Fa‘I Lafa; Spanish: Bajagua, Guaca maya Francesa, Flor Del Secreto, Guajavo, Hierba De Playa, Majaguilla, Mocuteno, Majaguillo, Mocoté, Soroncontil; Sri Lanka: Eth Thora; Swahili: Upupu Wa Mwitu; Tanzania: Muambangoma; Thai:– Northern: Khi-Kak, Central: Chum Het Thet, Chumhet-Yai, Peninsular: Chum Het Tet; Tongan: Fa‘I Lafa, Te‘Elango, La‘Au Fa‘I Lafa; Venezuela: Mocote; Vietnamese: Muồng Trâu, muông; Yapese: Flay-N-Sabouw
Plant Growth Habit	Coarse, erect, branched shrub
Soil	Well-drained soil
Leaves	50 to 80 cm long
Flower	Yellow, Bisexual
Pod shape & size	Winged, 15 cm long and 15 mm wide
Pod color	Green, ripening brown to black
Seed	Triangular, ovoid to rounded, olive, brown, or black

Candlestick Plant Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Senna alata

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (Land plants)
Superdivision	Embryophyta
Division	Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Fabales
Family	Fabaceae (Peas, legumes)
Genus	Senna Mill.
Species	Senna alata (L.) Roxb. (Emperor’s candlesticks)
Synonyms	Cassia alata L. basionym Cassia alata var. rumphiana DC. Cassia alata var. perennis Pamp. Cassia bracteata L. f. Cassia herpetica Jacq. (nom. illeg.) Cassia rumphiana (DC.) Bojer Herpetica alata (L.) Raf. Herpetica alata Cook & Collins

Its common names are Candelabra Bush, Candle Bush, Candelabra Plant, Candlestick Senna, Emperor’s Candlesticks, Empress-Candleplant, Christmas-Candle, Emperor’s Candlesticks, Emperor’s Candle Plant, Golden-Candle Senna, King-of-the-Forest, Golden Candelabra Tree, Ringworm Bush, Ringworm Senna, Ringworm Plant, Ringworm Bush, Ringworm Shrub, Seven Golden Candles, Roman Candle Tree, Seven- Golden-Candlesticks, Winged Senna, Stick Senna and Yellowtop, Ringworm tree.

Plant

It is an erect, coarse and branched shrub that grows 1.5 to 4 meters tall. The plant has alternate, pinnate leaves measuring 50 to 80 cm with 8 to 14 pairs of large leaflets. Leaflets are ovate to oblong, truncate, obtuse and is upto 17 cm. Inflorescence is erect, dense, long pendunculate, axillary or terminal measuring 10 to 15 cm long with crowded and overlapping yellow flowers. Flowers are 4 cm in diameter and are enclosed within dark-yellow or orangey bracts that shed off during flower opening. The bisexual flowers have 5 bright yellow ovate to orbicular petals and 5 oblong sepals with 10 stamens, 2 fertile and elongated anthers. Flowers give way to green pods that ripens brown to black. Pods are straight, winged, papery in texture measuring 15 to 20 cm long and over 1 cm wide. Each pod contains shiny, flat and triangular seeds.

Stems and Leaves

Stems are upright and occasionally branched. Leaves are alternately arranged along stems and are very large. They are borne on stalks about 2 to 4 cm long and have 8 to 14 pairs of large leaflets. Each leaflet is oblong, oval or egg shaped in outline measuring 5 to 7 cm long and 2 to 5.5 cm wide. It is finely hairy and have rounded or slightly notched tips.

Flowers and Fruit

Flowers are orange or golden yellow that form in elongated clusters about 15 to 60 cm long at the tips of the stem or in upper leaf forks. The clusters form on hairy stalks measuring 15 to 30 cm long and possess numerous densely crowded flowers. Each flower measures 2 to 3 cm across forming on short stalks of 5 to 8 mm long. Each flower composes of five sepals (about 9 to 15 mm long and 8 mm wide), five yellow petals (about 20 mm long and 12 mm wide) and two stamens. It consists of eight small filaments. Flowers are followed by large and elongated pods measuring 12 to 25 cm long and 8 to 20 mm wide. When the pods mature, it turns dark brown to back in color containing about 50 seeds. Pods are four angled in cross section having papery wings about 6 mm wide. Seeds are compressed or flattened and are dark grey, dark brown and black in color about 4 to 5 mm in size having dull appearance.

Traditional uses

In Indian medicine, decoction of flowers, leaves, bark and wood are used for treating skin diseases such as itching, pruritus, eczema and constipation.
In Philippines, leaves are used to cure skin diseases such as itches and ringworm.
In India, plant is used to cure poisonous bites and venereal eruptions.
Sap of leaves is anti-herpetic.
Flowers and leaves are asthma, bronchitis and dyspnoea.
The decoction made from flowers and leaves are used as a good wash for eczema.
Root decoction is useful for tympanitis.
Wood decoction is used for treating urticaria, liver problems, loss of appetite and rhinitis.
Leaves are used to treat skin diseases such as pityriasis versicolor pityriasis.
Root infusion is used for treating rheumatism and also used as a strong laxative.
The leaves decoction is used for laxative purposes.
The decoction made from dried leaves is used as abortifacient.
In Southwestern Nigeria, it is used for treating sickle cell anemia, hypertension and insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes.
In Nigeria and other African countries, leaves are used to cure constipation.
In Ghana, leaves are used as tea for intestinal worm infestation and leaf decoction is used for gonorrhea.
In Congo, root decoction is used for gonorrhea.
In Gabo and Togo, leaves are used on skin and combined with palm oil for dermatitis.
Externally, it is used for ringworm, herpes circinatus and tinea imbricate.
In Peninsular Malaysia, leaves juice are combined with lime for ringworm infestations.
It is used for treating burns, ring worm, liver spots and fungal of the skin.
It is used as an aid for hypertension, coughs, colds, acne, venomous bites and impetigo.

How to Eat

Leaves and flowers are cooked.
An inflorescence could be boiled with chilli.
Fresh leaves and flowers are consumed as vegetables or curries in Myanmar.
In Peninsular Malaysia, young shoots are cooked and consumed as vegetable.
Toasted leaves with Glycine beans are made into a drink similar to coffee.
In Philippines, young immature pods are consumed raw or steamed in small quantities.
Young pods are eaten as vegetables.

Precautions

People having known allergy should avoid it.
Sensitive people might get some allergic reactions.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Drink warm safe fluids and avoid smoke/dust exposure.
Use a mask and seek testing advice if infection is suspected.
Breathing difficulty should be treated as a warning sign.

OTC medicine safety

Cough syrups are not always needed; ask a clinician or pharmacist, especially for children.
Do not use leftover antibiotics for cough without medical advice.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Shortness of breath, blue lips, chest pain, coughing blood, severe weakness, or low oxygen needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.