Cassia occidentalis is part of the Cassia genus and its scientific name is Cassia occidentalis. The plant is reported to be poisonous to cattle. The plant contains anthraquinones. The roots contain emodin and the seeds contain chrysarobin (1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9-anthrone) and N-methylmorpholine.
It is subshrubs or shrubs, erect, 0.8-1.5 m tall, glabrous, few branched. Branches herbaceous, ribbed; roots blackish. Leaves ca. 20 cm; stipules caducous, triangular to lanceolate, 1-2 cm, membranous; petiole 3-4 cm, with a large, brown, ovoid gland near base; petiolule 1-2 mm, with a rotten smell when kneaded; leaflets 3-5(or 6) pairs, ovate to ovate-oblong, 4-10 × 2-3.5 cm, membranous, base rounded, apex acuminate. Corymbose racemes few flowered, axillary or terminal, ca. 5 cm; bracts caducous, linear-lanceolate. Flowers ca. 2 cm. Sepals unequal, outer ones suborbicular, ca. 6 mm in diam., inner ones ovate, 8-9 mm. Petals yellow.