Common Name:

General Information

Senna meridionalis is a shrub or small tree; it can grow up to 5 metres tall[]. The bole is somewhat swollen near the base[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It is occasionally grown as an ornamental, valued for its swollen bole[].
Senna meridionalis is experiencing a continuing decline in population because of habitat destruction due to wild fires, deforestation, conversion of the land into cropland, selective logging and grazing. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - southwestern Madagascar.

Habitat

Spiny forest on calcareous plateau, on dry low scrub forest or bushlands or thickets on sand over limestone; at elevations up to 500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	3.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position and a moist but well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The branches are used as poles in building local houses[].

Propagation

Seed - 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.
Cuttings[].

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