American sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 252 (1982))

Family: Fabaceae

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

Bibliography: Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 252 (1982)

Year: 1982

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Senna

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

The American sicklepod, scientifically known as Senna obtusifolia, is an intriguing member of the Fabaceae family. This plant is notoriously recognized for its unique crescent-shaped pods, which align with its common name and serve as distinguishable features in the wild.

Found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, the American sicklepod thrives in diverse environmental conditions, contributing to its widespread distribution. The plant has adapted to a range of habitats, which facilitates its growth across various landscapes, from grasslands to forests.

The historical botanical documentation of Senna obtusifolia underscores its significance in plant taxonomy and ecology. A noteworthy reference to this species can be found in the 1982 publication of the Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden, where it is thoroughly described by H.S. Irwin and Barneby. This description details the plant’s morphological characteristics, habitat preferences, and distribution, providing a comprehensive overview that remains a critical resource for botanists and plant enthusiasts.

American sicklepod’s growth habit, flowering pattern, and seed dispersal mechanisms have been subjects of various plant studies. Its role in local ecosystems is multifaceted; it participates in nitrogen fixation, which enriches soil fertility, and offers forage for certain wildlife species. However, it is also considered a weed in some regions, particularly in agricultural settings, where it can compete with crops for resources.

With its distinctive appearance and ecological importance, Senna obtusifolia remains a plant of considerable interest for both scientific research and environmental management. The plant’s impact, benefits, and challenges emphasize the complexity of its existence within its native habitats and beyond.

Common Names

Eng: american sicklepod, java-bean, coffee-weed, sicklepod, sicklepod senna, slimming plant
Fra: cassie
Heb: senna keha, סנ
Swe: sojasenna
En: American sicklepod, Java-bean, Coffee-weed, Sicklepod, Sicklepod senna, Slimming Plant
Fr: Cassie, Café zerb pian, Cassia à feuilles obtuses
He: Senna keha, סנ
Sv: Sojasenna

Synonyms

• Senna toroides (Roxb.)
• Cassia obtusifolia (L.)
• Cassia rogeonii (Ghesq.)
• Emelista obtusifolia ((L.) Raf.)
• Senna tora var. obtusifolia ((L.) X.Y.Zhu)
• Cassia tora var. humilis (Pers.)
• Cassia toroides (Raf.)
• Cassia tora var. obtusifolia ((L.) Haines)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• Djibouti (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Socotra (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (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.

Leaf

Taken Aug 31, 2019 by c chelle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2021 by Julie Popwell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Rakshith S (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 25, 2019 by Herwig Mees (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2019 by Rajendra Rajendra Choure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2021 by Valero Omar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Eloísa Langa Sanz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 2020 by Vijigiri Dr Vijigiri Dinesh (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Dec 11, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2020 by Blaize (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Richard GAUTIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 13, 2017 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 31, 2019 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2019 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2020 by Luiza pazete Luiza pazete (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2019 by Pl@ntNet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2957408)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:234560-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb, Subshrub

Growth