Senna Seeds

Senna Seeds
Common name   glandular senna, downy senna, buttercup bush
Botanical name   Senna multiglandulosa
Details   A fast growing evergreen shrub which become treelike. The leaves are each made up of several pairs of thick, hairy, oval-shaped leaflets each measuring up to about 4 centimetres long. The leaves are studded with visible resin glands between the leaflets.
Evergreen  
Frost sensitive  
Nitrogen fixer  
Perennial  
Tags     evergreen  flowers  N fixer  tender  tree  yellow 
Price   $3.90  20 seeds
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48141_senna-seed-pods
48141_senna

Senna multiglandulosa, commonly known as buttercup bush or buttercup cassia, is a plant native to the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and is closely related to other species in the Senna genus. Here are some of its uses and qualities:

  1. Ornamental Plant: Senna multiglandulosa is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. It is appreciated for its attractive bright yellow flowers, which bloom in clusters and add a splash of colour to the surroundings.
  2. Wildlife Attraction: The flowers of Senna multiglandulosa are rich in nectar, attracting various pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects. As a result, it can contribute to supporting local biodiversity by providing food and habitat for these creatures.
  3. Medicinal Uses: Some species of the Senna genus, including Senna alexandrina, have medicinal uses as laxatives. However, specific information about the medicinal properties of Senna multiglandulosa is limited, and it is important to exercise caution and consult with a qualified herbalist or healthcare professional before using it for medicinal purposes.
  4. Nitrogen Fixation: Like other leguminous plants, Senna multiglandulosa has the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules. This helps to improve soil fertility and benefit neighbouring plants.
  5. Drought Tolerance: Senna multiglandulosa is known for its tolerance to drought conditions, making it suitable for arid and semi-arid regions where water availability is limited.
  6. Erosion Control: The extensive root system of Senna multiglandulosa helps stabilize soil, making it useful for erosion control on slopes or in areas prone to soil erosion.
  7. Agroforestry: In some regions, Senna multiglandulosa is used as a component in agroforestry systems, where it can provide multiple benefits, such as improving soil quality, providing shade for other crops, and attracting pollinators.

It's worth noting that while some Senna species have useful properties, others can be toxic if ingested. Therefore, it is crucial to properly identify the plant and be cautious about its uses, especially for medicinal purposes. If you are considering using Senna multiglandulosa for any specific application, it's best to consult local experts or horticulturists familiar with the plant's characteristics and potential uses.

Scarification - Preparing hard tree seeds for planting

Many trees have seeds with extremely hard coatings. This allows them to remain viable for a long time, waiting for a trigger such as fire or abrasion due to erosion to activate the growing stage. These seeds require some form of scarification to encourage germination.

This is typical of several leguminous, pod bearing tree species such as tagasaste, locust, laburnum, carob etc.

There are several ways to perform the scarification prior to planting the seeds.
Senna multiglandulosa

Senna multiglandulosa

Common name   Cassia, glandular senna, downy senna, buttercup bush
Botanical name   Senna multiglandulosa
Family   Fabaceae
Details   Senna multiglandulosa is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by several common names, including glandular senna, downy senna, and buttercup bush.

It is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and western parts of South America, but it is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant and in some areas of the world has become naturalized in the wild. In some places it is considered a weed, for example, in New Zealand and New South Wales.

This is a hairy or woolly shrub which can grow to six meters in height, becoming treelike. The leaves are each made up of several pairs of thick, hairy, oval-shaped leaflets each measuring up to about 4 centimeters long. The leaves are studded with visible resin glands between the leaflets. The inflorescence is a raceme of several flowers, each with five golden yellow petals measuring 1 to 2 centimeters long. The flower has seven fertile stamens with large anthers and three sterile staminodes. The fruit is a legume pod, flattened or inflated and coated in hairs, reaching up to 12 centimeters long and filled with beanlike seeds.
Diameter   1.00
Height (m)   4
Flowers   Yellow
Evergreen  
Frost sensitive  
Nitrogen fixer  
Perennial  
Seeds / nuts / tubers  
Shade / Sun   Full sun