Senna Species, American Sicklepod, Chinese Senna, Coffeeweed, Java-Bean
Senna obtusifolia
| Family: | Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Senna (SEN-nuh) (Info) |
| Species: | obtusifolia (ob-too-sih-FOH-lee-uh) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Cassia obtusifolia |
Category:
Annuals
Perennials
Shrubs
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Bright Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Gadsden, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Weaver, Alabama
Barling, Arkansas
Menifee, California
San Diego, California
Apopka, Florida
Bartow, Florida
Bokeelia, Florida
Dunnellon, Florida
Grand Ridge, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Satellite Beach, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Brunswick, Georgia
Dalton, Georgia
Powder Springs, Georgia
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Brooklyn, Maryland
Saucier, Mississippi
Salisbury, North Carolina
Conway, South Carolina
North Augusta, South Carolina
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Six Mile, South Carolina
Summerville, South Carolina
Magnolia, Texas
Bumpass, Virginia
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Neutral | On Mar 16, 2017, ivylady73 from Greensboro, NC wrote: Have you heard of using this for Kudzu control? I'd want to make quite sure this is NOT another invasive species FIRST, though. Thoughts/experiences? |
| Negative | On Nov 17, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: The University of Tennessee extension service has called this "one of the world's worst weeds." [[email protected]] |
| Positive | On Nov 17, 2016, C_A_Ivy from Barling, AR (Zone 7b) wrote: An annual Senna that is a host plant for Sleepy Orange and Cloudless Sulphur butterflies. |
| Neutral | On Sep 1, 2016, SecretMonkey from Salisbury, NC (Zone 7b) wrote: This lonely little spriglet popped up in my yard. After some research discovered its "who's it" and now am trying to decide if it stays or if it goes. I have no grazing animals for it to poison. Its quite a pretty yellow, which I imagine would look lovely with blue, red, orange or purple flowers. Does anyone know exactly how easily this spreads? It's in an area that usually gets mowed frequently, but I am considering letting this go to seed and spread a little to collect seeds and planting them in a big field behind my house. I think this is the first mention of it growing as far north as the NC piedmont. We have had an especially hot and muggy summer, maybe that's why it survived so far. Does it have any redeeming qualities besides color to overcome it's negatives? Fragrance? Longev... read more |
| Positive | On Sep 22, 2015, Solarray65 from Grand Ridge, FL wrote: I am excited to have this plant and to learn more about its uses. I have read that it is a good protein replacement. I have been told that it is trecherous to cattle as it can puncture their guts. Seems to grow well near a soybean (another protein replacement plant) field. Easy to harvest beans when ripe for picking. |
| Neutral | On Jun 6, 2008, 1cros3nails4gvn from Bluffton, SC (Zone 9a) wrote: this plant is a weed and a native to the southeast. it is popping up all over my yard, but is not hard to control. when its not growing in my yard, i find it to be kind of nice looking with its leaves and yellow flowers. |
| Negative | On Aug 21, 2007, Farmerdill from Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: A pesky plant to rival ragweed in cultivated fields. It is said the the seeds are are the source of Cassia gum used as a food thickener. The seed can also be roasted and used as a substitute for coffee. |
