A shrub or small tree up to 10(–15) m tall, deciduous; young twigs glabrous or hairy. Leaves arranged spirally, paripinnately compound with 5–12 pairs of leaflets; stipules linear, c. 1.5 mm long, caducous; leaflets ovate-elliptical to oblong-elliptical, 3–6 cm × 1–3 cm, base rounded to obtuse, apex obtuse to subacute. Inflorescence a terminal, lax raceme, 0.5–9 cm long, many-flowered; bracts persistent during flowering. Flowers bisexual, slightly zygomorphic, 5-merous, fragrant; sepals obtuse; petals oblanceolate to obovate, 15–35 mm × 7–18 mm, yellow; stamens 10, 3 with filaments c. 3 cm long, 4 shorter, 3 rudimentary; ovary superior, stipitate, style very short, stigma small. Fruit a pendulous cylindrical pod 30–90 cm × 1.5–2.5 cm, transversely partitioned, dehiscent by 2 valves, woody, black, many-seeded with seeds embedded in pulp. Seeds ellipsoid, 9–12 mm long, brown to black.

Purgative, stomachic, aphrodisiac, abortifacient and vermifuge (roots); purgative and abortifacient (stem bark); tonic (seed)

PROTAbase: Cassia abbreviata

The leaves are smoked as a treatment for haematuria, whereas the smoke of smouldering twigs is inhaled to cure headache. A root infusion is kept in the mouth, or roots are chewed and swallowed to relieve toothache. A root decoction or the dried powdered roots in water are drunk to treat gastrointestinal disorders, stomach-ache, bilharzia, venereal diseases, pneumonia, uterus complaints, heavy menstruation and snakebites. Malaria (including blackwater fever) is also treated with extracts from the roots. A water extract of the roots is used as an eyewash to cure ophthalmia. The powdered stem bark is applied to abscesses and added to food to cure diarrhoea. A decoction of the stem bark is used to cure malaria and diarrhoea.