Common Name:

General Information

Senna polyphylla is a usually a shrub, occasionally becoming a tree; it usually grows 2 - 3 metres tall, occasionally reaching 5 metres. The bole can be up to 12cm in diameter. Multiple stems sprouting from the root crown are common, even in small plants[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It is often grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Caribbean - Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.

Habitat

Dry to moist forests, usually in places where competition is minimal such as dry, very rocky, excessively drained, overgrazed, and sites subject to occasional fires; at elevations from sea level to 300 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low elevations in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 300 metres. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 750 - 1,200mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a wide variety of well-drained soils[]. Tolerant of salt spray[].
A slow-growing plant, growing about 30cm in height per year when small[].
Flowers and produces fruits all year round[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The light brown wood is hard. It is used occasionally for fence posts[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - untreated seed started germination within 2 days, with 59% germinating[].
Once dried, it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.

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