Common Name:

General Information

Senna silvestris is a semideciduous shrub growing up to 3 metres tall in the savannah, becoming a tree growing up to 20 metres tall in the rainforest. It has a low, dense, rounded crown. The short bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The low value wood is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use. With its exuberant flowering, this is a very ornamental plant. It has great potential for use in landscaping, especially in urban areas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of habitats from the savannah and various types of forest from the rainforest to semideciduous altitude forests in both upland sites and floodplains that can be seasonally inundated[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a range of soils[]. Succeeds in dry soils[].
Young plants have a fast rate of growth[].
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

Other Uses

The heartwood and sapwood are not clearly demarcated. The wood is medium-textured, irregular-grained, light in weight, with a low resistance to rot. It is often of too small a size to be used for anything other than making boxes and other low value items.
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 50 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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