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Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Cassia auriculata |
| Common Name: | Tanner's Cassia, Avaram Senna, 耳叶决明 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Western Peninsula, Burma and Ceylon |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Multi-branched shrub, able to grow up to 1 - 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves, even-pinnate and measuring 8 - 10 cm long, each leaf has 8 - 12 pairs of leaflets and each leaflet measures about 2 - 3 cm long. |
| Stems | Stem is smooth and reddish brown in colour. |
| Flowers | Bright yellow flowers on a short, erect raceme, flower measuring about 4 - 5 cm wide. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a flattened brown pod, measuring about 7 - 11 cm long and contains about 10 - 20 seeds. |
| Etymology | Genus Senna is derived from the Arabic name "sana", which refers to the laxative leaves and pods. Species auriculata refers to the base of the leaves which resembles ear lobes. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: All parts of plant are used for treatment, especially in Ayurvedic. They are widely used in Indian Folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes, conjunctivitis, rheumatism, constipation and urinary tract disorders. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Several (11-20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31727 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6126 |
| 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. |
