The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions's FloraBase features a photograph of this plant.
Indicator value
Straight leaf cassia is generally considered undesirable and is a useful indicator plant. When it is found in large numbers it indicates poor pasture condition.
Forage value
Straight leaf cassia varies in palatability, but for the most part, it is not grazed. Some varieties are eaten, principally those with little downy covering.
Habitat
Various soils.
General description
Forms of straight leaf cassia are extremely variable. The shrub is 1–2m high and the branches may be covered with a slight down. The leaves are divided into 2–7 pairs of leaflets. In some specimens the leaflets may be up to 1cm across and in others they are much narrower. They are usually covered with a dense down, are rounded or pointed at the tips, and are about 1–2cm long. The down may be lacking altogether in some cases. The flowers are a very showy buttercup yellow. They are borne in groups of 4 or 5 on the branchlets. The flowers are succeeded by pods up to 7cm long. These darken and become brittle with age.