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Senna pendula
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Cassia coluteoloides, Cassia reinwardtii, Cassia indecora |
| Common Name: | Golden Senna, Butterfly Senna, Christmas Senna, Climbing Senna |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Neotropics |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Sprawling shrub, able to grow up to 1 - 4 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves, even pinnate and alternate, measuring about 4 - 8 cm long, petiole measuring about 1.5 - 4 cm long, each leaf contains 4 - 8 pairs of leaflets, obovate to oblong, measuring about 2 - 5 cm long and 1 - 3 cm wide. |
| Flowers | Bright yellow flowers, 3 - 10 flowers on a raceme, each flower measuring about 3 - 4 cm wide with 6 protruding fertile stamens. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a cylindrical pod, measuring about 8 - 15 cm long and contains dark brown, flattened and ovoid seeds which measure 4 - 6 mm wide. |
| Etymology | Genus Senna is derived from the Arabic name "sana", which refers to the laxative leaves and pods. Species pendula refers to the drooping or hanging down character of the plant. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Even-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1158 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2451 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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