Common Name: Pepper-Leaved Senna

General Information

Senna sophera is an erect shrub growing up to 2 metres tall[].
The plant is gathered from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. Its leaves have shown repellent properties and it is sometimes grown amongst other crops for this purpose, It is widely grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Originally from tropical America, but now widespread throughout the tropics.

Habitat

Secondary habitats such as roadsides and waste places at lower elevations in Africa[]. Mountain slopes and roadsides in southern China[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep, well-drained, moderately fertile sandy loam and a position in full sun[].
The plant is sometimes a weed[].
A host of bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), Javanese root knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and bean flower thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti)[].
There are conflicting reports on whether or not this tree has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, so it is unclear as to whether this tree fixes atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable[, , ]. Eaten in curries[].

The young pods are edible[]

The seeds and roasted leaves serve as a coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

Pepper-leaved senna is sometimes used in traditional medicine. It has been reported to contain anthraquinones, including chrysophanol and emodin[].
The species S. sophera, S. occidentalis, S. tora and Chamaecrista mimosoides have very similar properties and are used medicinally almost without distinction[].

The seeds are used to reduce fevers[]. The boiled seeds are used for the treatment of Bright's disease[].

The leaves are anthelmintic, expectorant and febrifuge[]. A leaf infusion is drunk as a remedy for rheumatic and inflammatory fevers, fever and malaria[].
Applied externally, a decoction of the leaves is used as an eye-bath to cure conjunctivitis[]. The juice of the leaves is used for wound healing and is applied against ringworm[].

A decoction of the roots is drunk to relieve painful menstruation and is given to children to stimulate their nervous system[].

An infusion of the bark is used in the treatment of diabetes[].

Extracts of all plant parts are used to treat epilepsy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Planting Senna sophera in guard rows in vegetable crops has been shown to reduce the damage caused by the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica)[].

Other Uses

The dried leaves have been shown to have insect repellent and insecticidal properties and when placed amongst stored grain and pulses give some control of storage pests, especially of the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) and the lesser grain weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking for 12 hours in warm water, or abrading the seed with sand can improve germination rates and reduce germination time[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: 10 times itself is?