Foetid cassia (Senna tora, Fl. Ind. ed. 1832, 2: 340 (1832))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Roxb.

Bibliography: Fl. Ind. ed. 1832, 2: 340 (1832)

Year: 1832

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Senna

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. America

Description

Foetid cassia, scientifically named Senna tora and authored by (L.) Roxb., is a fascinating and important member of the botanical world. It was comprehensively recorded in the “Flora Indica” in the edition of 1832 on page 340, illustrating its long-standing recognition and importance in plant studies.

Belonging to the Fabaceae family, Foetid cassia is a notable species within this diverse and economically significant family that includes legumes, beans, and peas. Native to Central America, this plant has garnered attention not only for its unique characteristics but also for its diverse applications in traditional medicine and agriculture.

Senna tora is easily identifiable by its characteristic odor, from which it derives the common name “foetid cassia.” The plant typically thrives in tropical regions and has adapted well to a variety of ecosystems within its native range. The leaves, seeds, and roots of this plant have been traditionally utilized in various medicinal preparations, reflecting its integral role in indigenous cultures and practices.

In terms of morphology, Senna tora features compound leaves and yellow flowers, typical of many plants in the Fabaceae family. Its ability to grow in a variety of soil types makes it a resilient and valuable species in both cultivation and natural settings. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in nitrogen fixation, thus contributing positively to soil health and agricultural productivity.

Overall, Foetid cassia is a remarkable example of the rich biodiversity of Central America, exemplifying the intricate relationships between plants and their environments, and the profound impact they have on human cultures and natural ecosystems.

Common Names

Msa: gelenggang kechil
Eng: java-bean, sickle senna, foetid cassia, sicklepod, sicklepod senna, stinking cassia
Spa: bicho, brusca cimarrona, ororuz
Fra: cassier sauvage, pois puant, séné
En: Foetid cassia, Stinking cassia, Java-bean, Sickle senna, Sicklepod, Sicklepod senna
Bn: বন চাকুন্দা
Zh: Xiao jue ming, 决明, 決明
Fi: Sirppisenna
Fr: Cassier sauvage, Pois puant, Séné, Casse Puante Petit Espece
Kn: Thagathe Soppu
Ko: Gingangnamcha, Gyeolmyeongja, 결명차
Ms: Gelenggang kechil
Ml: വട്ടത്തകര
Ne: सानो ताप्रे
Pt-br: Fedegoso
Si: තෝර (ශාකය)
Es: Brusca cimarrona, Ororuz, Bicho
Zh-tw: 決明
Ta: தகரை
Th: ชุมเห็ดไทย

Synonyms

• Cassia obtusifolia var. humilis ((Collad.) Torr. & A.Gray)
• Cassia borneensis (Miq.)
• Cassia tora f. hirsuta (Chodat & Hassl.)
• Cassia contorta (Vogel)
• Glycyrrhiza kansoo (Siebold)
• Chamaecrista tagera ((L.) Standl.)
• Cassia sunsub (Forssk.)
• Tagera filiformis (Raf.)
• Chamaefistula contorta ((Vogel) G.Don)
• Emelista tora ((L.) Britton & Rose)
• Cassia gallinaria (Collad.)
• Cassia tora (L.)
• Diallobus tora ((L.) Raf.)
• Cassia tula (Desv. ex Steud.)
• Cassia tala (Desv.)
• Cassia sagera (Lam.)
• Cassia tagera (L.)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bismarck Archipelago (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Laccadive Is. (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Qinghai (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Socotra (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Zaïre (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 Oct 7, 2021 by Miranda Crouch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Miranda Crouch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Laurel Zangerl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by aryan sahare (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2020 by Rolon Patricia Susana (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 22, 2020 by Charli Henderson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2018 by Marcel B. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Steve Smith (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2022 by Mukesh Madkami (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2021 by Sudhanshu Kumar (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 25, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 25, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 25, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 25, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by pflantastisch (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 24, 1952 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 22, 1967 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1995 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 25, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 25, 2018 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2957728)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:518369-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Senna tora (L.) Roxb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth