African senna (Senna didymobotrya, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 467 (1982))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Fresen.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby

Bibliography: Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 467 (1982)

Year: 1982

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Senna

Vegetable: False

Observations: Ethiopia to S. Trop. Africa

Description

African senna, scientifically named Senna didymobotrya, is a noteworthy species within the Fabaceae family. Recognized and documented in various botanical studies, this particular species is chronicled in the Mem. New York Bot. Gard., specifically in volume 35, page 467, published in 1982 by authors (Fresen.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby.

The distribution of African senna spans a considerable geographical range, extending from Ethiopia down to Southern Tropical Africa. This broad habitat variation signifies its adaptability and ecological versatility across different regions within this range.

Botanically, Senna didymobotrya is distinguished by its adaptable growth habits and characteristic features typical of the Fabaceae family. Its presence in diverse environments further underlines its ecological importance in these regions. Whether utilized in local traditional practices or recognized for its potential horticultural attributes, African senna remains a significant species for both local populations and the broader scientific community.

Common Names

Eng: african senna, candelabra-tree, peanut-butter cassia
Deu: geflügelte kassie
Afr: grondboontjiebotterkassia
Swe: kandelaberkassia
En: African senna, Peanut butter cassia, Popcorn senna, Candelabra-tree, Peanut-butter cassia
Af: Grondboontjiebotterkassia
Ar: كاسيا ديديموبوتريا
De: Geflügelte Kassie
Rw: Umucyuro
Sv: Kandelaberkassia

Synonyms

• Chamaesenna didymobotrya ((Fresen.) Small)
• Cassia didymobotrya (Fresen.)
• Cassia bracteosa (Welw. ex W.Bull)
• Cassia nairobensis (L.H.Bailey)
• Cassia verdickii (De Wild.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Assam (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2019 by Mich Marty (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Maya L (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Maya L (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2017 by Hans Walter Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Alsanabani Jamal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 24, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Stevenazzi Fabio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Luis L.E (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2022 by Stéphan Plisson-Sauné (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Stevenazzi Fabio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Alsanabani Jamal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Luis L.E (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2019 by Vincenzo Santaniello (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2019 by Salas Denitza (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2957556)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:234467-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth