Senna didymobotrya (African Senna, African Wild Sensitive Plant, Candelabra Tree, Peanut Butter Cassia, Peanut Butter Tree, Popcorn Bush, Popcorn Cassia, Popcorn Senna, Wild Senna.)

Botanical Information

FamilyFabaceae
GenusSenna
Speciesdidymobotrya
SynonymsCassia didymobotrya, Cassia nairobensis, Cassia verdickii, Chamaesenna didymobotrya
CategoryTropicals
TypeTree (deciduous), Shrub (deciduous)
ReferencesTropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2019-06-06.
OriginNative to Africa.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		In Kenya, some cultures use it to prepare a special type of sour milk.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10a - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-1.1) to above 4.5
Temperature (°F)30 - 40
Height5 - 9 m
Spread2.4-3 m
Flowering PeriodAugust, September, October, November

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or a small tree growing from 0.5 - 9 metres tall
LandscapeA garden ornamental, medicinal plant, cover crop and a nitrogen-fixing plant.
PropagationBy woody stem cuttings, and seed.
CultivationGrow in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.
Notable SpecimensHarry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
HabitatIt is often ruderal in riparian montane wooded grassland or evergreen bushland.
Bark/Stem DescriptionA hairy and aromatic.
Leaf DescriptionPinnate leaves with a smooth waxy surface and appearance.
Flower DescriptionA raceme 11-35 cm long, flower buds 0.9- 2.7 cm long, 0.5-1.4 cm wide. with bright yellow or orangey petals 1.8-2.7 cm long, 1 - 1.6 cm wide.
Fruit DescriptionFlat brown pod, 8-12 cm long, It contains brown seeds that are compressed in same plane as the pod, oblong 8-9 mm long.

Photographs