This name is not universally accepted. We are following the treatment in GRIN and the Flora of Southern Africa[], but the Flora of Tropical Africa[] treats this species as Cassia singuinea Delile (treated here as a synonym)[].

Common Name:

General Information

Senna singueana is a deciduous shrub or a small tree with a light, open crown; it can grow 4 - 15 metres tall[, ]. The bole can be 15cm in diameter[].
The plant is a popular medicinal plant in Africa, where it is often harvested from the wild. It also provides food and a range of commodities for the local population. It is often grown as an ornamental, though only within its native range, being valued especially for its spectacular flowering display which often takes place in the dry season[, ].

Known Hazards

The species is known to be toxic[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - drier areas from Cote D'Ivoire to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Habitat

Woodland, wooded grassland and bushland; often on termite mounds, at elevations up to 2,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to moderate elevations in the drier tropics, where it can be found from sea level to over 2,000 metres. It is found mainly in areas where the mean annual temperature is from 25 - 30°c, and the mean annual rainfall is within the range 500 - 1,000mm[, ].

A fast-growing plant[].
The plant responds well to coppicing[, ].
The plant is fairly susceptible to fire, though its thick bark does give it some protection[].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

Pods - raw or cooked[]. Fleshy and sweet[]. They are collected as soon as they are ripe, broken open, the sweet pulp sucked out and the seeds discarded[]. They are mostly eaten by children and herdsmen[].

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

The leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable in Malawi and Tanzania, but elsewhere they are considered to be poisonous[].

Medicinal

The plant has many medicinal uses throughout Africa[]. Modern research has shown the presence of a range of medically active compounds.
The roots contain 4 tetrahydroanthracene derivatives, singueanol-I and -II, torosachrysone and germichrysone, as well as the pentacyclic triterpene lupeol and steroids (campesterol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol). The anthracene derivatives have shown significant activity against several gram-positive bacteria in vitro and also antispasmodic activity[].
Extracts of the root bark have shown significant analgesic, antipyretic, anthelmintic and antiplasmodial activity[].
The leaves have been shown to have anthelmintic and antiviral properties, but no significant antibacterial activity[].
The stem bark and leaves contain tannins and are astringent[].

The leaves, stem and the root bark are all used as anthelmintics and to treat bilharzia[].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a remedy for venereal disease, malaria, convulsions, epilepsy, coughs, intestinal worms, constipation, heartburn and stomach-ache[].
A hot water infusion of the leaves is drunk and the warm leaves are applied as a compress to treat fever.
The leaves, either as a decoction or infusion, or as a dried powder, are applied to wounds caused by leprosy and syphilis[]. An infusion of the leaves is applied as eye drops to cure conjunctivitis[].

A decoction of the roots is used to treat wounds and as a remedy for diarrhoea, convulsions, dementia and STDs[].
The roots are used to treat venereal diseases, stomach complaints and as a purgative. The roots are also used to cure impotence caused by diabetes. The ash of burnt roots is eaten mixed with porridge to cure abdominal pain[].

Extracts of the stem bark are taken to cure stomach complaints. Like the leaves, the stem bark is used to treat skin disorders and malaria[].

An infusion of the flowers is used as an eye lotion[].

The fruit pulp soaked in water and cooked with a staple food is eaten by lactating women as it is considered a galactagogue[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is used for soil improvement[].
A suitable candidate for agroforestry in dry areas[].

Other Uses

The stem bark is used as a dye for textile in Ethiopia and Zambia and for tanning hides in large parts of East Africa[].
The fruits are used in Sudan for tanning skins[].
The leaves contain the flavonoid leucopelargonidin, which has dyeing properties[].

Bananas are wrapped in the leaves to speed ripening[].

The root fibres are used in hairpieces[].

The wood is pale brown in colour with a distinct grain[, ]. It is used for hut building, small furniture, tool handles, spoons and carvings[, , ].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak in warm water for 12 hours prior to sowing. The seed usually sprouts within 9 days of sowing, with around 78% germinating[].

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