False sicklepod (Senna multijuga, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 492 (1982))

Family: Fabaceae

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

Bibliography: Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 492 (1982)

Year: 1982

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Senna

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to S. Trop. America

Description

False sicklepod, known scientifically as Senna multijuga, is a captivating plant species within the Fabaceae family. This plant is renowned for its robust growth and versatile nature, thriving from Mexico to the southern tropical regions of America. The rich biodiversity of these tropical habitats provides the ideal environment for the False sicklepod to prosper.

The plant holds significant ecological value, offering habitat and food sources to a variety of wildlife. As a member of the legume family, it also plays a crucial role in soil improvement through nitrogen fixation, enriching the soil with essential nutrients and facilitating the growth of surrounding flora.

In 1982, a detailed monograph on this species was published in the “Mem. New York Bot. Gard.,” shedding light on its morphological characteristics and ecological significance. The authorship of this scholarly work is accredited to H.S. Irwin & Barneby, with the original classification reference traces back to Rich.

The False sicklepod showcases an array of bright yellow flowers, which bloom profusely, adding vibrancy to tropical landscapes. Additionally, its adaptability to various environmental conditions makes it a resilient species, capable of thriving in diverse soil types and climates prevalent within its native range.

Its botanical characteristics include compound leaves, which are typical of the Fabaceae family, and seed pods that resemble miniature sickles, giving rise to its common name. This unique shape of its seed pods is an easily identifiable feature of the plant.

Overall, Senna multijuga stands out as a notable member of the tropical ecosystems, valued not only for its ecological contributions but also for its distinctive beauty that adds splendor to natural landscapes.

Common Names

Eng: false sicklepod
Spa: hormiguerillo
En: False sicklepod, November shower
Es: Hormiguerillo

Synonyms

• Cassia multijuga (Rich.)
• Chamaesenna multijuga ((Rich.) Pittier)
• Peiranisia multijuga ((Rich.) Britton & Rose)

Distribution

• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Célio Roberto Rangel (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Otero Mary (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2022 by Michal Babilas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Célio Roberto Rangel (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Zilli Valtair Zilli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 14, 2021 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Jerome Kato (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2022 by Zilli Valtair Zilli (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/2957158)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:234544-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Senna multijuga (Rich.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth