Common Name:

General Information

Senna cana is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a low, dense, rounded crown; it can grow up to 6 metres tall. The short bole can be 15 - 20cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its low quality wood. It can be used as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland. With its exuberant flowering and small size, this plant has a good potential for use in urban landscaping[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Semi-arid forests and savannah at elevations from 100 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in dry soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Young plants have a moderately fast rate of growth, easily reaching a height of 2 metres or more within 2 years from seed[].
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

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A natural pioneer plant with a moderately fast rate of growth, it can be used in reforestation projects for restoring native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, with a low resistance to rot. It is easy to work and split, but is generally too small to be used for anything other than as fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 60 days[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species 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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