Common Name:

General Information

Senna undulata is a shrub or a small tree, often with a somewhat climbing habit[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana; C. America - Panama to southern Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad, St. Vincent.

Habitat

Wet forest or thickets, often in secondary growth, at elevations up to 1,100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are sometimes used like those of senna[].
There are several species within this genus that have the common name of senna, and this record does not stipulate which of those species it refers to. However, the general use of the leaves is as an anthelmintic, laxative and poultice. They are used internally to rid the body of parasites and as a treatment against vomiting and stomach-ache, whilst externally, they are used to treat skin infections, sores, ulcers and insect bites.

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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