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Native Plant Database

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Senna wislizeni (Canyon senna)
Cox, Paul

Senna wislizeni (Gray) Irwin & Barneby

Canyon senna, Shrubby senna, Dwarf senna

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonyms: Cassia wislizeni

USDA Symbol: sewi3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Wislizenus wild sensitive-plant or shrubby senna, a deciduous shrub, is usually 4-6 ft. tall but can reach 10 ft. Short, rigid, leafy branches are lined with compound foliage arranged spirally on spurs. Large, yellow flowers crowd together in 6 in. clusters at the end of the branches. A long, flat, dark-brown pod succeeds the flowers.

This plants brilliant yellow flowers make an attractive contrast to the foliage.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Size Notes: 6-12 feet.
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX to s.e. AZ & n. Mex
Native Habitat: Dry slopes; mesas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Well-drained, igneous soils.
Conditions Comments: A showy cassia. Brilliant yellow flowers make an attractive contract to the foliage. Dependable in poor soil and fairly drought-tolerant.

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 because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Bumble Bees

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

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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