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287 Species in Genus Senna

The Senna: A Plant of Diverse Beauty and Utility

As a plant enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the sheer variety and adaptability of the Senna genus. These flowering plants, belonging to the legume family, boast a global presence, thriving in tropical regions and even making appearances in some temperate zones. With an estimated 287 species, the Senna genus offers a captivating array of forms, from shrubs and trees to perennial herbs.  

A World of Senna

One of the things that I find most striking about Senna plants is their distinctive foliage. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems and are characterized by their paripinnate structure, meaning they have an even number of leaflets arranged in pairs. Each leaf also has a small stipule at its base, which often falls off as the leaf matures.  

But the true showstoppers are the flowers. Typically a vibrant yellow, they can also be found in shades of pink, orange, and red. These blossoms are not just a feast for the eyes; they also play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive cycle, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.  

The fruit of the Senna plant is a pod, which varies in size and shape depending on the species. These pods contain the seeds, which can be dispersed by wind, water, or animals.  

Senna Species: A Diverse Family

The Senna genus is incredibly diverse, with species adapted to a wide range of habitats. Here are:  

  1. Senna acanthoclada (Griseb.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  2. Senna acatlanensis C.Rojas-Mart. & A.Delgado
  3. Senna acclinis (F.Muell.) Randell
  4. Senna aciphylla (Benth. ex A.Gray) Randell
  5. Senna aculeata (Pohl ex Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  6. Senna acunae (Borhidi) A.Barreto & Yakovlev
  7. Senna acuparata H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  8. Senna acuruensis (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  9. Senna acutisepala (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  10. Senna affinis (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  11. Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
  12. Senna alexandrina Mill.
  13. Senna andrieuxii (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  14. Senna angulata (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  15. Senna angustisiliqua (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  16. Senna ankaranensis Du Puy & R.Rabev.
  17. Senna anthoxantha (Capuron) Du Puy
  18. Senna aphylla (Cav.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  19. Senna apiculata (M.Martens & Galeotti) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  20. Senna appendiculata (Vogel) Wiersema
  21. Senna apsidoneura (H.S.Irwin & Barneby) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  22. Senna araucarietorum H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  23. Senna argentea (Kunth) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  24. Senna arida (Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  25. Senna aristeguietae H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  26. Senna armata (S.Watson) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  27. Senna arnottiana (Gillies) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  28. Senna artemisioides (Gaudich. ex DC.) Randell
  29. Senna atomaria (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  30. Senna aurantia (Ruiz & Pav. ex G.Don) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  31. Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb.
  32. Senna aversiflora (Herb.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  33. Senna aymara H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  34. Senna baccarinii (Chiov.) Lock
  35. Senna bacillaris (L.f.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  36. Senna bahiensis A.G.Lima & V.C.Souza
  37. Senna barclayana (Sweet) Randell
  38. Senna barnebyana Lass.
  39. Senna barronfieldii (Colla) Hewson
  40. Senna bauhinioides (A.Gray) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  41. Senna benitoensis (Britton & P.Wilson) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  42. Senna bicapsularis (L.) Roxb.
  43. Senna biglandularis A.O.Araujo & V.C.Souza
  44. Senna birostris (Dombey ex Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  45. Senna bosseri Du Puy & R.Rabev.
  46. Senna bracteosa D.B.O.S.Cardoso & L.P.Queiroz
  47. Senna brongniartii (Gaudich.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  48. Senna burkartiana (Villa) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  49. Senna cajamarcae H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  50. Senna cana (Nees & Mart.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  51. Senna candolleana (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  52. Senna cardiosperma (F.Muell.) Randell
  53. Senna catingae (Harms) L.P.Queiroz
  54. Senna caudata (Standl.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  55. Senna cearensis Afr.Fern.
  56. Senna centranthera H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  57. Senna cernua (Balb.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  58. Senna charlesiana (Symon) Randell
  59. Senna chloroclada (Harms) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  60. Senna chrysocarpa (Desv.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  61. Senna circinnata (Benth.) Randell
  62. Senna cladophylla (W.Fitzg.) Randell
  63. Senna clavigera (Domin) Randell
  64. Senna cobanensis (Britton) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  65. Senna coimbrae M.Nee & Barneby
  66. Senna collicola H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  67. Senna confinis (Greene) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  68. Senna corifolia (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  69. Senna cornigera H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  70. Senna coronilloides (Benth.) Randell
  71. Senna corymbosa (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  72. Senna costata (J.F.Bailey & C.T.White) Randell
  73. Senna covesii (A.Gray) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  74. Senna crassiramea (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  75. Senna crotalarioides (Kunth) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  76. Senna cruckshanksii (Hook. & Arn.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  77. Senna cuatrecasasii H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  78. Senna cumingii (Hook. & Arn.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  79. Senna curvistyla (J.M.Black) Randell
  80. Senna cushina (J.F.Macbr.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  81. Senna cuthbertsonii (F.Muell.) Randell
  82. Senna dardanoi Afr.Fern. & P.Bezerra
  83. Senna dariensis (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  84. Senna davidsonii (V.Singh) V.Singh
  85. Senna demissa (Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  86. Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  87. Senna divaricata (Nees & Blume) Lock
  88. Senna domingensis (Spreng.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  89. Senna dryadica A.G.Lima & Mansano
  90. Senna durangensis (Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  91. Senna ellisiae (Brenan) Lock
  92. Senna ferraria (Symon) Randell
  93. Senna flexuosa (Randell) Randell
  94. Senna × floribunda (Cav.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  95. Senna foetidissima (Ruiz & Pav. ex G.Don) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  96. Senna formosa H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  97. Senna franciscana A.G.Lima & Mansano
  98. Senna fruticosa (Mill.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  99. Senna galeottiana (M.Martens) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  100. Senna gardneri (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  101. Senna garrettiana (Craib) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  102. Senna gaudichaudii (Hook. & Arn.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  103. Senna georgica H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  104. Senna glaucifolia (Randell) Randell
  105. Senna gloriosa (H.S.Irwin & Barneby) A.G.Lima & Mansano
  106. Senna glutinosa (DC.) Randell
  107. Senna goniodes (A.Cunn. ex Benth.) Randell
  108. Senna gossweileri (Baker f.) Lock
  109. Senna guatemalensis (Donn.Sm.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  110. Senna gundlachii (Urb.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  111. Senna hamersleyensis (Symon) Randell
  112. Senna harleyi H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  113. Senna haughtii (J.F.Macbr.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  114. Senna hayesiana (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  115. Senna hebecarpa (Fernald) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  116. Senna heptanthera Randell
  117. Senna herzogii (Harms) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  118. Senna hilariana (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  119. Senna hirsuta (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  120. Senna holosericea (Fresen.) Greuter
  121. Senna holwayana (Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  122. Senna hookeriana Batke
  123. Senna huancabambae (Harms) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  124. Senna huidobriana (Phil.) Zoellner & San Martin
  125. Senna huilana (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  126. Senna humifusa (Brenan) Lock
  127. Senna incarnata (Pav. ex Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  128. Senna insularis (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  129. Senna intermedia (B.D.Sharma, Vivek. & Rathakr.) V.Singh
  130. Senna italica Mill.
  131. Senna itatiaiae H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  132. Senna juchitanensis Saynes & R.Torres
  133. Senna koelziana H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  134. Senna kuhlmannii (Hoehne) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  135. Senna kurtzii (Harms) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  136. Senna lactea (Vatke) Du Puy
  137. Senna lasseigniana H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  138. Senna latifolia (G.Mey.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  139. Senna leandrii (Ghesq.) Du Puy
  140. Senna lechriosperma H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  141. Senna leiophylla (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  142. Senna leptoclada (Benth.) Randell
  143. Senna ligustrina (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  144. Senna lindheimeriana (Scheele) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  145. Senna longiglandulosa (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  146. Senna longiracemosa (Vatke) Lock
  147. Senna loretensis (Killip & J.F.Macbr.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  148. Senna lourteigiana H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  149. Senna macranthera (DC. ex Collad.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  150. Senna macrophylla (Kunth) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  151. Senna magnifolia (F.Muell.) Randell
  152. Senna malaspinae H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  153. Senna mandonii (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  154. Senna manicula (Symon) Randell
  155. Senna marilandica (L.) Link
  156. Senna martiana (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  157. Senna mensicola (H.S.Irwin & Barneby) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  158. Senna meridionalis (R.Vig.) Du Puy
  159. Senna mexicana (Jacq.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  160. Senna mollissima (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  161. Senna monilifera H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  162. Senna monozyx (H.S.Irwin & Barneby) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  163. Senna montana (B.Heyne ex Roth) V.Singh
  164. Senna morongii (Britton) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  165. Senna mucronifera (Mart. ex Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  166. Senna multifoliolata (Paul G.Wilson) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  167. Senna multiglandulosa (Jacq.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  168. Senna multijuga (Rich.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  169. Senna mutisiana (Kunth) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  170. Senna nana (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  171. Senna neglecta (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  172. Senna nicaraguensis (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  173. Senna nitida (Rich.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  174. Senna notabilis (F.Muell.) Randell
  175. Senna nudicaulis (Burkart) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  176. Senna obliqua (G.Don) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  177. Senna oblongifolia (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  178. Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  179. Senna occidentalis (L.) Link
  180. Senna oligoclada (F.Muell.) Randell
  181. Senna orcuttii (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  182. Senna organensis (Glaz. ex Harms) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  183. Senna oxyphylla (Kunth) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  184. Senna pachyrrhiza (L.Bravo) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  185. Senna pallida (Vahl) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  186. Senna papillosa (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  187. Senna paposana (Phil.) Zoellner & San Martin
  188. Senna paradictyon (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  189. Senna paraensis (Ducke) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  190. Senna pendula (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  191. Senna pentagonia (Mill.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  192. Senna peralteana (Kunth) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  193. Senna perrieri (R.Vig.) Du Puy
  194. Senna petersiana (Bolle) Lock
  195. Senna phlebadenia H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  196. Senna phyllodinea (R.Br.) Symon
  197. Senna pilifera (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  198. Senna pilocarina (Symon) Randell
  199. Senna pilosior (B.L.Rob.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  200. Senna pinheiroi H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  201. Senna pistaciifolia (Kunth) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  202. Senna planitiicola (Domin) Randell
  203. Senna pleurocarpa (F.Muell.) Randell
  204. Senna pluribracteata F.S.Souto & R.T.Queiroz
  205. Senna pneumatica H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  206. Senna podocarpa (Guill. & Perr.) Lock
  207. Senna polyantha (Collad.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  208. Senna polyphylla (Jacq.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  209. Senna praeterita H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  210. Senna procumbens Randell
  211. Senna pumilio (A.Gray) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  212. Senna punoensis Lass.
  213. Senna purpusii (Brandegee) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  214. Senna quinquangulata (Rich.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  215. Senna racemosa (Mill.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  216. Senna reniformis (G.Don) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  217. Senna reticulata (Willd.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  218. Senna rigidicaulis (Burkart ex L.Bravo) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  219. Senna ripleyana (H.S.Irwin & Barneby) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  220. Senna rizzinii H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  221. Senna robiniifolia (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  222. Senna roemeriana (Scheele) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  223. Senna rostrata (Mart.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  224. Senna rugosa (G.Don) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  225. Senna ruiziana (G.Don) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  226. Senna rupununiensis H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  227. Senna ruspolii (Chiov.) Lock
  228. Senna saeri (Pittier) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  229. Senna sandwithiana H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  230. Senna santanderensis (Britton & Killip) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  231. Senna scabriuscula (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  232. Senna scandens (Ruiz & Pav. ex G.Don) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  233. Senna septemtrionalis (Viv.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  234. Senna sericea (Symon) Albr. & Symon
  235. Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  236. Senna silvestris (Vell.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  237. Senna singueana (Delile) Lock
  238. Senna skinneri (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  239. Senna smithiana (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  240. Senna sophera (L.) Roxb.
  241. Senna sousana H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  242. Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  243. Senna spinescens (Hoffmanns. ex Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  244. Senna spiniflora (Burkart) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  245. Senna spinigera (Rizzini) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  246. Senna splendida (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  247. Senna stenophylla (Britton) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  248. Senna stipulacea (W.T.Aiton) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  249. Senna stowardii (S.Moore) Randell
  250. Senna stricta (Randell) Randell
  251. Senna suarezensis (Capuron) Du Puy
  252. Senna subtrijuga H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  253. Senna subulata (Griseb.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  254. Senna sulfurea (DC. ex Collad.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  255. Senna surattensis (Burm.f.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  256. Senna symonii (Randell) Randell
  257. Senna talpana H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  258. Senna tapajozensis (Ducke) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  259. Senna tenuifolia (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  260. Senna timoriensis (DC.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  261. Senna tocotana (Rose ex Britton & Killip) Silverst.
  262. Senna tonduzii (Standl.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  263. Senna tora (L.) Roxb.
  264. Senna trachypus (Mart. ex Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  265. Senna trianae H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  266. Senna trolliiflora H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  267. Senna tropica (Vell.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  268. Senna truncata (Brenan) Lock
  269. Senna tuhovalyana (Aké Assi) Lock
  270. Senna uncata H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  271. Senna undulata (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  272. Senna uniflora (Mill.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  273. Senna unijuga (Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  274. Senna urmenetae (Phil.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  275. Senna vargasii (Schery) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  276. Senna velutina (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  277. Senna venusta (F.Muell.) Randell
  278. Senna versicolor (Meyen ex Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  279. Senna viarum (Little) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  280. Senna viciifolia (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  281. Senna viguierella (Ghesq.) Du Puy
  282. Senna villosa (Mill.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  283. Senna viminea (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  284. Senna weddelliana H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  285. Senna williamsii (Britton & Rose) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  286. Senna wislizeni (A.Gray) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
  287. Senna wurdackii H.S.Irwin & Barneby

Senna and Humanity: A Longstanding Relationship

Humans have interacted with Senna plants for centuries, recognizing their value in various aspects of life.  

Perhaps the most well-known use of Senna is in traditional medicine. Some species, like Senna alexandrina, are renowned for their laxative properties and have been used for centuries to treat constipation. Other species have been employed to address a range of ailments, from skin conditions to digestive issues.  

Beyond medicine, Senna plants have also found their place in other human endeavors. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals, their vibrant flowers adding a splash of color to gardens and landscapes. Others are utilized for their tannins, which are used in the leather tanning process. And in some regions, Senna species are even used as a source of food or fodder.  

The Future of Senna

As we continue to learn more about the Senna genus, I’m excited to see how our relationship with these plants evolves. With their diverse properties and adaptability, Senna plants hold great potential for future applications in medicine, agriculture, and other fields.

Whether it’s harnessing their medicinal properties, appreciating their ornamental beauty, or exploring their potential in sustainable agriculture, the Senna genus offers a wealth of possibilities for the future. I, for one, am eager to see what discoveries and innovations lie ahead in our ongoing exploration of these fascinating plants.

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