Common Name: Smooth Senna

General Information

Smooth senna is an evergreen shrub, occasionally a tree, that can grow up to 6 metres tall, though is usually smaller. Sometimes the plant is almost wholly herbaceous[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its use locally in traditional medicine and as a coffee substitute[]. It is grown as a hedge and ornamental plant[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru and Colombia, north to Mexico.

Habitat

Moist or wet thickets or hedgerows, sometimes as a weed in waste ground, often in second growth, sometimes in moist forest; at elevations up to 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep, well-drained, moderately fertile sandy loam and a position in full sun[].
Often grown as an ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become a weed in some areas[].
There are conflicting reports on whether or not this tree has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, so it is unclear as to whether this tree fixes atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

The seeds are used as a coffee substitute[, ].

Medicinal

Used in Mexico as an emmenagogue[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking for 12 hours in warm water, or abrading the seed with sand can improve germination rates and reduce germination time[].

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