Family: Fabaceae
Author: (L.) Greene
Bibliography: Pittonia 4: 27 (1901)
Year: 1901
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Chamaecrista
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, Trop. Asia to N. Australia
Description
The Five-leaf cassia, scientifically known as Chamaecrista mimosoides, is an intriguing member of the Fabaceae family. Known for its vibrant presence, this plant flourishes predominantly across tropical and southern regions of Africa, extending its reach through tropical Asia and all the way to northern Australia.
This versatile species is characterized by its distinct five-leaved structure, which not only gives it its common name but also adds to its unique aesthetic appeal. The leaves are a significant part of its identification and play a vital role in its photosynthesis process, allowing the plant to thrive in warm climates where sunlight is plentiful.
Chamaecrista mimosoides showcases a remarkable adaptability, making it a resilient component of the ecosystems it inhabits. It has evolved to withstand varied environmental conditions across its broad native range. This adaptability is a testament to its evolutionary success and ecological importance.
This plant was first documented comprehensively in Pittonia 4: 27 in 1901 by the esteemed botanist Edward Lee Greene, who is credited with its formal scientific classification. The work of Greene has provided invaluable insights into the taxonomic characteristics and botanical significance of the Five-leaf cassia.
In its natural habitats, the Five-leaf cassia plays a crucial role in the local biodiversity. It provides food and shelter for various insects and animals, contributing to the ecological balance. Its presence underscores the interconnectivity of species within these rich, dynamic ecosystems.
Overall, the Five-leaf cassia is more than just a plant; it is an integral part of the tropical and subtropical landscapes it inhabits, boasting a resilience and beauty that capture the interest of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.
Common Names
Eng: japanese-tea, chamaecrista, five-leaf cassia, fish-bone cassia
En: Five-leaf cassia, Japanese-tea, Chamaecrista, Fishbone cassia, Fish-bone Cassia
Af: Visgraat cassia
Pt: Cássia de empingem
Synonyms
- Cassia microphylla (Willd.)
- Cassia myriophylla (Wall.)
- Cassia capensis var. humifusa (Ghesq.)
- Cassia guineensis (G.Don)
- Cassia leschenaultii (Wall.)
- Cassia hecatophylla (DC. ex Callad.)
- Cassia filipendula (Bojer)
- Cassia microphylla var. senegalensis (DC.)
- Senna tenella (Roxb.)
- Cassia microphylla var. guineensis (DC.)
- Nictitella mimosoides ((L.) Raf.)
- Cassia angustissima (Lam.)
- Chamaecrista angustissima ((Lam.) Greene)
- Cassia chamaecrista f. auricoma (Kuntze)
- Cassia amoena (Buch.-Ham.)
- Senna sensitiva (Roxb.)
- Cassia mimosoides (L.)
- Cassia geminata (Vahl ex DC.)
- Cassia mimosoides var. glabriuscula (Ghesq.)
- Chamaecrista hecatophylla ((DC. ex Callad.) Greene)
- Cassia auricoma var. glabra (Ghesq.)
- Cassia roxburghiana (Graham)
- Cassia gracillima (Welw.)
- Cassia thunbergiana (Blume ex Miq.)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Benin (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Caprivi Strip (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- Congo (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Free State (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- India (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Mali (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- China North-Central (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Samoa (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Apr 18, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2021 by Iain Douglas-Hamilton (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 9, 2022 by Balasundaram Balasundaram Krishnamurthy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Abdoul Karim OUÉDRAOGO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 14, 2020 by Muasa Mwololo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 4, 2021 by Ravi Kiran (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 11, 2022 by ESPOIR ANDJI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Flor Alex (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2020 by magaña sergio (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Flor Alex (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jun 3, 2018 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 3, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Leigh Winowiecki (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2949769)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:54606-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chamaecrista mimosoides (L.) Greene)