Family: Fabaceae
Author: (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
Bibliography: Phytologia 44: 499 (1979)
Year: 1979
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Senna
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America
Description
Woolly senna, scientifically known as Senna hirsuta, is an intriguing plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of America. This member of the Fabaceae family is notable for its distinctively hairy stems and foliage, which contribute to its common name, “woolly.” The plant was classified by the botanists H.S. Irwin and Rupert C. Barneby, who described its characteristics in the scientific journal Phytologia in 1979.
The woolly senna thrives in warm climates, favoring the rich biodiversity of tropical and subtropical environments. As part of the legume family, it plays an important ecological role in nitrogen fixation, enriching soil quality and supporting the growth of surrounding flora. The robust growth and adaptability of Senna hirsuta make it a fascinating subject of study for both botanists and ecological enthusiasts.
Its physical characteristics include elongated, pinnate leaves covered in fine hairs, providing a soft texture reminiscent of wool. The plant also produces vibrant yellow flowers that contribute to the aesthetic appeal and are often visited by pollinators, thus playing a crucial role in the local ecosystem.
Overall, the woolly senna is not merely a plant of botanical interest but a vital component of its native habitat, benefiting the environment by enhancing soil fertility and supporting pollinators. Its study can provide deeper insights into the intricate web of ecological relationships in tropical and subtropical America.
Common Names
Eng: woolly senna
En: Woolly senna, Hairy senna
Fr: Café zerb pian
Synonyms
- Ditremexa hirsuta ((L.) Britton & Rose)
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Arizona (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)
- Cuba (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Andaman Is. (introduced)
- Angola (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Benin (introduced)
- Burundi (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Central African Repu (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Congo (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- French Guiana (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Ghana (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Guyana (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Liberia (introduced)
- Malawi (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Mali (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- Nicobar Is. (introduced)
- Nigeria (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Suriname (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Togo (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- West Himalaya (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.
Flower
Taken Apr 10, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2020 by Valdiri Antonio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 17, 2022 by nat joannot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Gnagbo Anthelme (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 17, 2022 by nat joannot (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Gnagbo Anthelme (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Miguel-de-SCAMPS_MX (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Gnagbo Anthelme (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 10, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2958100)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:234491-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Senna hirsuta (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb, Shrub, Subshrub, Tree