Common Name:

General Information

Senna reticulata is a large shrub or sometimes a tree with a rounded crown; it can grow from 2 - 15 metres tall[]. The bole is usually short, 3 - 10cm in diameter, and is often supported by short prop roots[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It has potential for use as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland. A very showy plant, noteworthy for the contrast in colour of the bright yellow petals and the orange sepals and bracts, it is sometimes planted around dwellings[].

Known Hazards

The branches and inflorescence are nearly always infested by small ants that can bite severely[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad.

Habitat

A plant of low elevations, in dry, wet or very damp climates. Common on the banks of rivers and streams, also in open and marshy areas[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Butterflies, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant sometimes forms dense thickets along stream beds or about the margins of lakes, growing at times in shallow water[].
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

The leaves and flowers are crushed in water and used as a wash for treating eczema and other skin eruptions - the crushed leaves being used as a sponge[].

The leaves are febrifuge, laxative. They are used in the treatment of ringworm, fevers and pneumonia[].

The flowers are emetic and laxative[].

The seedpods are purgative[].

The boiled root is used as a remedy for fevers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant often springs up abundantly on cleared land, forming dense stands of great extent[]. This makes the plant an ideal candidate as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland[].

Other Uses

None known

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.

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