Arsenic bush (Senna septemtrionalis, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 365 (1982))

Family: Fabaceae

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

Bibliography: Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 365 (1982)

Year: 1982

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Senna

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to C. America

Description

Arsenic bush, scientifically known as Senna septemtrionalis, is a notable plant within the family Fabaceae. First described in detail by botanists H.S. Irwin and Barneby, this species was recorded in the “Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden” in 1982. This robust plant can predominantly be found stretching from Mexico through to Central America, thriving in a range of habitats within this geographical corridor.

Traditionally recognized for its vibrant appearance, the Arsenic bush is an important species within its ecosystem, contributing to the nitrogen levels in the soil due to its membership in the leguminous Fabaceae family. This group of plants is known for their symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which makes them crucial for maintaining soil fertility.

The Arsenic bush is characterized by its adaptation to warm climates, where it plays a role in local biodiversity. Its flowers and foliage not only add aesthetic value to the landscape but also provide resources for a variety of pollinating insects and other wildlife.

Being part of the Senna genus, the Arsenic bush shares many characteristics with its relatives, including its distinctive leaves and pod-like fruits. Despite its common name, there’s no direct link to arsenic in terms of its chemical properties or effects.

In summary, Senna septemtrionalis or the Arsenic bush is a significant species from the Fabaceae family, with a wide presence from Mexico to Central America. Documented in the early 1980s, it continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists due to its integral role in natural habitats and its contributions to soil health.

Common Names

Eng: arsenic bush, dooleyweed, arsenic-bush, laburnum, smooth senna
En: Arsenic bush, Dooleyweed, Arsenic-bush, Laburnum, Smooth senna, Hill Senna

Synonyms

• Cassia elegans (Kunth)
• Chamaecassia grandiflora (Link)
• Senna septemtrionalis var. pubescens ((V.Singh) V.Singh)
• Chamaefistula laevigata ((Willd.) G.Don)
• Chamaecassia laevigata ((Willd.) Link)
• Chamaesenna laevigata ((Willd.) Pittier)
• Cassia septemtrionalis (Viv.)
• Cassia coymbosa (Ortega)
• Cassia × floribunda var. pubescens (V.Singh)
• Senna aurata (Roxb.)
• Cassia laevigata (Willd.)
• Senna × floribunda var. pubescens ((V.Singh) V.Singh)
• Cassia vernicosa (Clos)
• Adipera laevigata ((Willd.) Britton & Rose)
• Cassia septentrionalis (Sessé & Moc.)
• Cassia aurata ((Roxb.) Vogel)
• Chamaefistula elegans ((Kunth) G.Don)
• Cassia quadrangularis (Zoll. & Moritzi)

Distribution

• Costa Rica (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Ivanot Estenoz Mendoza (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Ivanot Estenoz Mendoza (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/2957529)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:234652-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Senna septemtrionalis (Viv.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth