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Native Plant Database

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Senna hebecarpa (American senna)
Makin, Julie

Senna hebecarpa (Fern.) Irwin & Barneby

American senna, Wild Senna

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonyms: Cassia hebecarpa

USDA Symbol: SEHE3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Clusters of light yellow to orange flowers atop a sparsely branched perennial or in axils of compound leaves.

The flowers of this large plant are not typically pea-like. Two other species, Sicklepod (S. obtusifolia) and Coffee Senna (S. occidentalis), are also found in the East. Southern Wild Senna (S. marilandica) is a more southern species with fewer flowers and bigger leaflets.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: Ontario; Maine south to Georgia and northwest to Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Native Habitat: Moist open woods and disturbed areas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Moist to average soil, sand to heavier loam.
Conditions Comments: Easy to care for.

Benefit

Warning: Plants of this genus (and herbal remedies derived from them) can cause poisoning and fatal illness in humans. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable becaus
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Larval Host: Cloudless sulphurs

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Senna hebecarpa is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Cloudless Sulphur
(Phoebis sennae)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Clump Division , Seeds
Description: Easy to start from seed or divide plant in early spring or fall.
Seed Collection: Seed matures in early fall.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV
Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Senna hebecarpa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Senna hebecarpa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Senna hebecarpa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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