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Cassia (genus)
Encyclopedia
Cassia is a genus
of Fabaceae
in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae
. Commonly called cassias, "cassia
" is also the English name of Cinnamomum aromaticum in the Lauraceae
(from which the spice
cassiabark is derived), and some other species of Cinnamomum
. In addition, the genus Cassia was for long ill-delimited with regards to the related Cassiinae - especially Senna
-, many species
of which were once placed herein. As a rule-of-thumb, Cassia sensu stricto contains the largest Cassiinae, usually mid-sized tree
s.
In Antiquity
, "cassia" - kasía (κασία), qəṣi`â (קסיה), etc. - usually meant certain local or widely traded Cinnamomum species. For details, see Cassia.
actually belong into Cassia, many references to some sort of "cassia" are less than clear; usually it is hard or even impossible to determine if a species of the present genus, of Senna
, or of Cinnamomum
is meant. "Cassia gum
" for example is not made from Cassia in the present sense, but from Chinese Senna (sicklepod, Senna obtusifolia), formerly known as Cassia obtusifolia, C. toroides and several other taxa in the present genus.
"Cassia" is not infrequently encountered in texts on herbalism
and alternative medicine
. This is usually Senna however; while both genera contain plants with medical properties those of Senna seem to be more pronounced (or are simply better-studied). Still, Golden Shower Tree
(C. fistula) is unequivocally identified and considered very potent in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is called aragvadha ("disease killer"). It contains elevated quantities of anthraquinone
s and consequently is mainly useful against gastrointestinal conditions (e.g. constipation
or acid reflux) and to still bleeding. While its fruit pulp is considered a mild remedy, the roots are said to be so potent as to render their use dangerous if not supervised by a trained professional.
There exists some culinary use for cassia. The fruit pulp of some is eaten as a refreshing treat - similar to the related tamarind
- , though it is important to note that not all species have edible fruit, and at least some have poisonous seed. Of course, as noted above, consuming too much of the pulp even in species in which it is edible is likely to result in fulminant
passing of stool
. It is not quite clear to what extent Cassia leaves are used to brew herbal teas, as is common with those of Senna. And clearly, both Cassiinae pale by comparison to the effectively global importance of Cinnamomum aromaticum bark.
The uncertainty about identities has created considerable confusion in ritual
too. The Sprig of Acacia in Freemason symbology
in occasionally proposed to be actually a "cassia". Said "cassia" led to the grave of "the Widow's Son" Hiram Abiff
, an allegorical master craftsman that cannot be aligned to any real-world geography
more closely than the Levant
. Some acacia
is more often used; the typical Acacia
s of the region are trees much like Cassia in habitus
and ecology
and thus it is impossible to identify the Sprig even to subfamily rank.
Ecologically, Cassia tolerates a wide range of climates and temperatures, though it tends towards loving warmth. This and their showy flowers make them desirable ornamental plant
s for park
s and garden
s. Arid
land species are well-suited for reforestation
purposes and to provide sources of natural goods and improving soil quality and stemming desertification
also.
Cassia species are used as food plants by the caterpillar
s of some Lepidoptera
. These include:
The plant pathogenic virus
es Cassia yellow blotch bromovirus (Bromoviridae
) and Cassia yellow spot potyvirus (Potyviridae
, formerly Cassia yellow blotch virus) were first described from C. pleurocarpa and "Cassia hoffmanseggi" (a nomen nudum
?), respectively
, but the exact number is still not clear. The reason is that Cassia was long used as a wastebin taxon
for Cassieae in general, most notably Senna
and Chamaecrista
with which it makes up the Cassiinae. Those species are more recently moved to more correct placements, but the process is still ongoing due to the high number of species, with more than 1000 named taxa having been described for this genus altogether.
It is estimated that Cassia contains around 692 species.
and many more
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of Fabaceae
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae
Caesalpinioideae
Caesalpinioideae is a botanical name at the rank of subfamily, placed in the large family Fabaceae or Leguminosae. Its name is formed from the generic name Caesalpinia....
. Commonly called cassias, "cassia
Cassia (disambiguation)
Cassia may refer to:Plants* Cassia , a tree/shrub genus in the bean family * Cinnamomum aromaticum , a cinnamon tree from southern China and Indochina which produces the spice cassia bark...
" is also the English name of Cinnamomum aromaticum in the Lauraceae
Lauraceae
The Lauraceae or Laurel family comprises a group of flowering plants included in the order Laurales. The family contains about 55 genera and over 3500, perhaps as many as 4000, species world-wide, mostly from warm or tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America...
(from which the spice
Spice
A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for flavor, color, or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth. It may be used to flavour a dish or to hide other flavours...
cassiabark is derived), and some other species of Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum is a genus of evergreen aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The species of Cinnamomum have aromatic oils in their leaves and bark. The genus contains over 300 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of North America, Central America,...
. In addition, the genus Cassia was for long ill-delimited with regards to the related Cassiinae - especially Senna
Senna (genus)
Senna , the sennas, is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species reaching into temperate regions. The number of species is usually estimated to be about 260, but some...
-, many species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of which were once placed herein. As a rule-of-thumb, Cassia sensu stricto contains the largest Cassiinae, usually mid-sized tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s.
In Antiquity
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
, "cassia" - kasía (κασία), qəṣi`â (קסיה), etc. - usually meant certain local or widely traded Cinnamomum species. For details, see Cassia.
Ecology and uses
Owing to this confusion about which speciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
actually belong into Cassia, many references to some sort of "cassia" are less than clear; usually it is hard or even impossible to determine if a species of the present genus, of Senna
Senna (genus)
Senna , the sennas, is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species reaching into temperate regions. The number of species is usually estimated to be about 260, but some...
, or of Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum is a genus of evergreen aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The species of Cinnamomum have aromatic oils in their leaves and bark. The genus contains over 300 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of North America, Central America,...
is meant. "Cassia gum
Cassia gum
Cassia gum is a food additive made from the endosperm of Senna obtusifolia . It is used as a thickener and gelling agent, and has E-number E427....
" for example is not made from Cassia in the present sense, but from Chinese Senna (sicklepod, Senna obtusifolia), formerly known as Cassia obtusifolia, C. toroides and several other taxa in the present genus.
"Cassia" is not infrequently encountered in texts on herbalism
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
and alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
. This is usually Senna however; while both genera contain plants with medical properties those of Senna seem to be more pronounced (or are simply better-studied). Still, Golden Shower Tree
Golden Shower Tree
Cassia fistula, known as the golden shower tree and other names, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to southern Asia, from southern Pakistan east through India to Myanmar and south to Sri Lanka. It is the national tree of Thailand, and its flower is Thailand's national flower...
(C. fistula) is unequivocally identified and considered very potent in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is called aragvadha ("disease killer"). It contains elevated quantities of anthraquinone
Anthraquinone
Anthraquinone, also called anthracenedione or dioxoanthracene is an aromatic organic compound with formula . Several isomers are possible, each of which can be viewed as a quinone derivative...
s and consequently is mainly useful against gastrointestinal conditions (e.g. constipation
Constipation
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation...
or acid reflux) and to still bleeding. While its fruit pulp is considered a mild remedy, the roots are said to be so potent as to render their use dangerous if not supervised by a trained professional.
There exists some culinary use for cassia. The fruit pulp of some is eaten as a refreshing treat - similar to the related tamarind
Tamarind
Tamarind is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic .-Origin:...
- , though it is important to note that not all species have edible fruit, and at least some have poisonous seed. Of course, as noted above, consuming too much of the pulp even in species in which it is edible is likely to result in fulminant
Fulminant
Fulminant is any event or process that occurs suddenly and quickly, and is intense and severe to the point of lethality, i.e., it has an explosive character. The word comes from Latin fulmināre, to strike with lightning...
passing of stool
Defecation
Defecation is the final act of digestion by which organisms eliminate solid, semisolid or liquid waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Waves of muscular contraction known as peristalsis in the walls of the colon move fecal matter through the digestive tract towards the rectum...
. It is not quite clear to what extent Cassia leaves are used to brew herbal teas, as is common with those of Senna. And clearly, both Cassiinae pale by comparison to the effectively global importance of Cinnamomum aromaticum bark.
The uncertainty about identities has created considerable confusion in ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
too. The Sprig of Acacia in Freemason symbology
Symbology
Symbology concerns the study of symbols.Symbology may also refer to:-Academics:* Semiotics, study of signs and symbols* Iconography, branch of art history which studies images...
in occasionally proposed to be actually a "cassia". Said "cassia" led to the grave of "the Widow's Son" Hiram Abiff
Hiram Abiff
Hiram Abiff is a character who figures prominently in an allegorical play that is presented during the third degree of Craft Freemasonry...
, an allegorical master craftsman that cannot be aligned to any real-world geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
more closely than the Levant
Levant
The Levant or ) is the geographic region and culture zone of the "eastern Mediterranean littoral between Anatolia and Egypt" . The Levant includes most of modern Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and sometimes parts of Turkey and Iraq, and corresponds roughly to the...
. Some acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
is more often used; the typical Acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
s of the region are trees much like Cassia in habitus
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
and ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
and thus it is impossible to identify the Sprig even to subfamily rank.
Ecologically, Cassia tolerates a wide range of climates and temperatures, though it tends towards loving warmth. This and their showy flowers make them desirable ornamental plant
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
s for park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
s and garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
s. Arid
Arid
A region is said to be arid when it is characterized by a severe lack of available water, to the extent of hindering or even preventing the growth and development of plant and animal life...
land species are well-suited for reforestation
Reforestation
Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation....
purposes and to provide sources of natural goods and improving soil quality and stemming desertification
Desertification
Desertification is the degradation of land in drylands. Caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human activities, desertification is one of the most significant global environmental problems.-Definitions:...
also.
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
s of some Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
. These include:
- Astraptes fulgerator (Two-barred Flasher) – Occasionally on Golden Shower TreeGolden Shower TreeCassia fistula, known as the golden shower tree and other names, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to southern Asia, from southern Pakistan east through India to Myanmar and south to Sri Lanka. It is the national tree of Thailand, and its flower is Thailand's national flower...
(C. fistula), Pink Shower Cassia (C. grandisCassia grandisCassia grandis, one of several species called Pink Shower Tree, and known as Carao in Spanish, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the neotropics, that grows up to . The species is distributed from southern México, to Venezuela and Ecuador...
), and possibly others - Catopsilia pomonaCatopsilia pomonaThe Common Emigrant or Lemon Emigrant is a medium sized pierid butterfly found in Asia and parts of Australia. The species gets its name from its habit of migration. Some early authors considered them as two distinct species Catopsilia crocale and Catopsilia pomona.-Description:The species has...
(Common Emigrant or Lemon Emigrant) – recorded on Golden Shower Tree (C. fistula) and probably others - Catopsilia pyrantheCatopsilia pyrantheThe Mottled Emigrant, Catopsilia pyranthe, is a medium sized butterfly of the Family Pieridae found in South Asia, Southeast Asia and parts of Australia.-Male:The upperside is chalky-white, slightly tinted in some specimens with green...
(Mottled Emigrant) – caterpillar recorded on Golden Shower Tree (C. fistula), Pink Cassia (C. bakeriana), "Cassia javanica" (Apple-blossom Cassia C. javanica or Roxburgh's Cassia C. roxburghii) and probably others - Endoclita malabaricus
- Phoebis sennae (Cloudless Sulphur)
The plant pathogenic virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
es Cassia yellow blotch bromovirus (Bromoviridae
Bromoviridae
The Bromoviridae are a family of plant viruses, including the following genera:*Genus Alfamovirus; type species: Alfalfa mosaic virus*Genus Anulavirus; type species: Pelargonium zonate spot virus...
) and Cassia yellow spot potyvirus (Potyviridae
Potyviridae
The Potyviridae are a family of plant viruses. They are . Their genome is composed of positive-sense RNA which is surrounded by a protein coat made up of a single viral encoded protein called a capsid. All induce the formation of virus inclusion bodies called in their hosts...
, formerly Cassia yellow blotch virus) were first described from C. pleurocarpa and "Cassia hoffmanseggi" (a nomen nudum
Nomen nudum
The phrase nomen nudum is a Latin term, meaning "naked name", used in taxonomy...
?), respectively
Systematics and taxonomy
There are hundreds of Cassia speciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, but the exact number is still not clear. The reason is that Cassia was long used as a wastebin taxon
Wastebin taxon
Wastebasket taxon is a term used in some taxonomic circles to refer to a taxon that has the sole purpose of classifying organisms that do not fit anywhere else. They are typically defined by their lack of one or more distinct character states or by their not belonging to one or more other taxa...
for Cassieae in general, most notably Senna
Senna (genus)
Senna , the sennas, is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species reaching into temperate regions. The number of species is usually estimated to be about 260, but some...
and Chamaecrista
Chamaecrista
Chamaecrista is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. Members of the genus are commonly known as sensitive pea. Several species are capable of rapid plant movement.-Selected species:...
with which it makes up the Cassiinae. Those species are more recently moved to more correct placements, but the process is still ongoing due to the high number of species, with more than 1000 named taxa having been described for this genus altogether.
Selected species
- Cassia abbreviataCassia abbreviataCassia abbreviata is a tree species in the genus Cassia found in Africa.Proguibourtinidins, a type of condensed tannins, can be found in C. abbreviata and guibourtinidol, a flavan-3ol, can be found in its heartwood.-External links:*...
- Cassia afrofistula Brenan – Kenyan Shower Cassia (= C. fistula sensu Brenan)
- Cassia aldabrensisCassia aldabrensisCassia aldabrensis is a species of legume in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae endemic to Assumption and Aldabra near the Seychelles. It is threatened by habitat destruction.-Taxonomy:...
- Cassia artensisCassia artensisCassia artensis is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family.It is found only in New Caledonia.-References:* Jaffré, T. et al. 1998. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
- Cassia aubrevilleiCassia aubrevilleiCassia aubrevillei is a legume species in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. A forest tree of tropical West Africa, it is threatened by deforestation and unsustainable logging for timber. The bark of the tree has been investigated for antifilarial properties....
- Cassia bakeriana Craib – Pink Cassia, Wishing-tree (= C. bakerana)
- Cassia brewsteri (F.Muell.) F.Muell. ex Benth.George BenthamGeorge Bentham CMG FRS was an English botanist, characterized by Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century".- Formative years :...
- Cassia cardiosperma F.Muell.
- Cassia eremophila Vogel – Desert Cassia
- Cassia ferruginea (Schrad.) DC.A. P. de CandolleAugustin Pyramus de Candolle also spelled Augustin Pyrame de Candolle was a Swiss botanist. René Louiche Desfontaines launched Candolle's botanical career by recommending him at an herbarium...
(= C. brasiliana Lam. var. ferruginea, C. staminea) - Cassia fikifikiCassia fikifikiCassia fikifiki is a species of tree in the Fabaceae family. It is found only in Ivory Coast.It is threatened by habitat loss. The bark has been investigated for antifiliarial properties.-References:* Assi, A. 1998. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
- Cassia fistula L. – Golden Shower TreeGolden Shower TreeCassia fistula, known as the golden shower tree and other names, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to southern Asia, from southern Pakistan east through India to Myanmar and south to Sri Lanka. It is the national tree of Thailand, and its flower is Thailand's national flower...
, aehaela-gaha (Sinhalese), amaltās (Hindi and Urdu), bendra lathi (Hindi), bahava (Marathi), chahui (Meitei), dok khuen (Thai), kanikkonna (Malayalam: Kerala), khoun (Lao), konrai (Tamil), rachapruek (Thai), rajbriksya (Nepali) - Cassia grandisCassia grandisCassia grandis, one of several species called Pink Shower Tree, and known as Carao in Spanish, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the neotropics, that grows up to . The species is distributed from southern México, to Venezuela and Ecuador...
L.f. – Pink Shower Cassia (= C. brasiliana, C. brasiliana var. tomentosa Miq., C. brasiliensis, C. mollis, C. pachycarpa) - Cassia javanica L. – (= C. bacillus Gaertn., C. megalantha) Apple-blossom Cassia, and Palawan cherry
- Cassia javanica ssp. javanica (= C. bacillus Roxb., C. fistula sensu Blanco)
- Cassia javanica ssp. agnes (de Wit) K. Larsen
- Cassia javanica ssp. nodosa Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) K. Larsen & S. S. Larsen
- Cassia javanica ssp. renigera (Wall. ex Benth.) K. Larsen
- Cassia × lancasteri
- Cassia magnifolia F.Muell.
- Cassia × nealii – Rainbow Shower Tree
- Cassia marksianaCassia marksianaCassia marksiana is an Australian rainforest tree growing in far north eastern New South Wales and in south eastern Queensland. The common name is Marks Cassia, named in honour of Dr.C.F. Marks, an early botanical collector. Other common names include Cigar Cassia, Brush Cassia and Native Laburnum...
(Bailey) Domin - Cassia notabilis F.Muell.
- Cassia oligoclada F.Muell.
- Cassia pleurocarpa F.Muell.
- Cassia roxburghii DC.A. P. de CandolleAugustin Pyramus de Candolle also spelled Augustin Pyrame de Candolle was a Swiss botanist. René Louiche Desfontaines launched Candolle's botanical career by recommending him at an herbarium...
– Roxburgh's Cassia (= C. javanica sensu Bojer, C. marginata Roxb.) - Cassia venusta F.Muell.
- Cassia surattensis F.Muell.
Formerly placed here
- Chamaecrista absus (as C. absus L., C. babylonica, C. coccinea, C. exigua, C. foliolis, C. thonningii, C. viscida)
- Chamaecrista fasciculataChamaecrista fasciculataChamaecrista fasciculata is a species of legume native to most of the eastern United States. It is an annual which grows to approximately 0.5 meters tall...
– Large-flowered Partridge Pea, Showy Partridge Pea (as C. brachiata, C. chamaecrista L., C. chamaecrista L. var. robusta, C. depressa, C. fasciculata, C. fasciculata var. puberula (Greene)J.F.Macbr., C. fasciculata var. rostrata (Wooton & Standl.) B.L.Turner, C. fisheri, C. greenei, C. littoralis, C. mississipiensis, C. pulchella Salisb., C. robusta, C. rostrata (Wooton & Standl.) Tiderstr., C. triflora Jacq., C. venosa Zuccagni) - Chamaecrista nictitansChamaecrista nictitansChamaecrista nictitans is a herbaceous species of legume widely distributed through the temperate and tropical Americas...
– Wild Sensitive Pea, Wild Sensitive-plant (as C. aeschinomene, C. aspera var. mohrii, C. chamaecrista L. var. nictitans, C. mimosoides L. ssp. leschenaultiana (DC.) H.Ohashi, C. multipinnata, C. nictidans, C. nictitans, C. nictitans var. hebecarpa Fernald, C. procumbens L.) - Senna alataSenna alataSenna alata, the Candle Bush, is an important medicinal tree as well as an ornamental flowering plants in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It also known as a Candelabra Bush, Empress Candle Plant, Ringworm Tree or "candletree"...
– Candle Bush, Candelabra Bush, Empress Candle Plant, Candlestick Tree, Ringworm Tree, "candletree" - Senna alexandrinaSenna alexandrinaSenna alexandrina is an ornamental plant in the genus Senna. It is also used in herbalism. It grows natively in upper Egypt, especially in the Nubian region, and near Khartoum , where it is cultivated commercially...
– Alexandrian Senna, Egyptian Senna, Tinnevelly Senna, East Indian Senna, sene de la palthe (French) - Senna artemisioidesSenna artemisioidesSenna artemisioides is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is commonly known as Silver Cassia or Feathery Cassia - although "cassia" generally refers to the largest-growing Cassiinae. Some of its distinct subspecies also have common names of their own...
– Silver Senna, Feathery Senna - Senna auriculataSenna auriculataSenna auriculata is a legume tree in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is commonly known by its local names ranawara or avaram, Senna auriculata is a legume tree in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is commonly known by its local names ranawara or avaram, Senna auriculata is a legume tree in the...
– Avaram Senna, avaram, ranawara - Senna bicapsularisSenna bicapsularisSenna bicapsularis is a species of the legume genus Senna, native to northern South America, from Panama south to Venezuela and Colombia, and also the West Indies. It is naturalised and invasive in several coastal areas in the tropics, including the Galápagos Islands and New Caledonia...
– Rambling Senna, Christmas Bush, Money Bush, Yellow Candlewood - Senna corymbosaSenna corymbosaSenna corymbosa is an ornamental plant in the genus Senna. It is also known as Argentine Senna, Argentina Senna, Buttercup Bush, Flowering Senna, Flowery Senna or Tree Senna....
– Argentine Senna, Argentina Senna, Buttercup Bush, Flowering Senna, (Texas) Flowery Senna, Tree Senna - Senna covesiiSenna covesiiSenna covesii is a perennial subshrub in the family Fabaceae, native to the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert in southeastern California, southern Nevada, and Arizona in the United States, and northern Baja California in Mexico...
– Desert Senna, Coues' Senna, Rattleweed - Senna durangensis – Durango Senna (as C. durangensis RoseJoseph Nelson RoseJoseph Nelson Rose was an American botanist. He was born in Union County, Indiana. His father died serving during the Civil War when Joseph Rose was a young boy. He later graduated from high school in Liberty, Indiana....
) - Senna floribunda (as C. floribunda Cav.)
- Senna garrettiana (as C. garrettiana)
- Senna hebecarpaSenna hebecarpaSenna hebecarpa is an ornamental plant native to North America, specially Canada and the United States....
– American Senna, Wild Senna - Senna hirsuta (as C. caracasana, C. hirsuta, C. leptocarpa, C. tomentosa Arn., C. venenifera)
- Senna hirsuta var. puberula (as C. longisiliqua Blanco, C. pubescens, C. sulcata sensu Blanco)
- Senna insularis (as C. absus Sessé & Moc., C. insularis)
- Senna italicaSenna italicaThe Italian senna,Senna italica, is a legume tree in the genus Senna. It is recognized by many other common names based on the regions it grows in. In India, it is known as “Neutral Henna”. Most botanists and scientists recognize this plant as “Senegal Senna”. Italian Senna is easily...
(as C. italica, C. ligustrina Mill., C. obtusa Roxb., C. porturegalis)- Senna italica ssp. italica – Neutral Henna (as C. aschrek, C. italica ssp. italica (Mill.)Spreng., C. obovata)
- Senna montana (as C. montana Roth., C. setigera)
- Senna multiglandulosaSenna multiglandulosaSenna 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...
(as C. albida, C. cana Steud., C. lutescens, C. multiglandulosa, C. tomentosa L.f., C. wightiana) - Senna obtusifoliaSenna obtusifoliaSenna obtusifolia is a legume in the genus Senna, sometimes separated in the monotypic genus Diallobus. It grows wild in North, Central, and South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, and is considered a particularly serious weed in many places...
– Chinese Senna, Sicklepod, Foetid Senna, Sickle Senna, Coffeeweed, Arsenic Weed, "blunt-leaved senna", "coffee podCoffee podCoffee pods are pre-packaged ground coffee beans in their own filter. In certain non-English speaking countries, such as Germany and The Netherlands, the word "pad" is used instead of "pod", for semantic reasons....
", "java bean" - Senna occidentalisSenna occidentalisSenna occidentalis is a pantropical plant species.Vernacular names include : ʻauʻaukoʻi in Hawaii, coffee senna, coffeeweed, Mogdad coffee, negro-coffee, senna coffee, Stephanie coffee, stinkingweed or styptic weed....
– Coffee Senna, Mogdad Coffee (as C. caroliniana, C. ciliata Raf., C. falcata L., C. foetida Pers., C. laevigata sensu auct. non Prain non Willd., C. macradenia, C. obliquifolia, C. occidentalis, C. occidentalis L. var. arista sensu Hassk., C. occidentalis L. var. aristata Collad., C. planisiliqua) - Senna pilosior (as C. bauhinioides var. pilosior, C. durangensis sensu auct. non Rose, C. pilosior)
- Senna quinquangulata (as C. quinquangulata)
- Senna septemtrionalisSenna septemtrionalisSenna septemtrionalis is a plant species in the genus Senna....
(as C. aurata, C. elegans, C. floribunda auct. non Cav., C. laevigata Willd., C. laevigata Willd. var. floribunda sensu Ghesq., C. quadrangularis, C. septemtrionalis, C. vernicosa Clos) - Senna siameaSenna siameaSenna siamea , also known as Kassod Tree or Cassod Tree, is a legume in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is native to South and Southeast Asia, although its exact origin is unknown....
– Siamese Senna, khi-lek (ขี้เหล็ก)(Thai) (as C. arayatensis sensu Naves, C. arborea, C. florida, C. gigantea, C. siamea, C. siamea var. puberula Kurz, C. sumatrana) - Senna sopheraSenna sopheraSenna sophera is a shrub, glabrous, about 3 m. in height. The compound leaves with 8-12 paired leaflets acute and tapering; bear rachies with single gland at the base. It has yellow flowers in carymbose racemes....
(as C. atroviridis, C. atropurpurea, C. canca, C. esculenta, C. frutescens, C. geminiflora Schrank, C. linearis, C. lineata Michx., C. occidentalis L. var. glabra DC., C. occidentalis L. var. sophera, C. patula, C. proboscidea, C. sophera, C. sopheroides, C. torosa)- Senna sophera var. sophera (as C. indica, C. lanceolata Link)
- Senna spectabilis
- Senna spectabilis var. excelsa
- Senna spectabilis var. micans - sometimes placed in Senna macranthera
- Senna sulfurea (as C. arborescens Vahl, C. enneaphylla, C. glauca Lam., C. petropolitana, C. sulfurea, C. surattensis auct. non Burm.f., C. surattensis Burm. f. ssp. glauca (Lam.) K.Larsen & S.S.Larsen)
- Senna surattensis (as C. fastigiata Vahl, C. galuca, C. suffruiticosa, C. suffruticosa, C. surattensis Burm. f.)
- Senna timoriensis (as C. arayatensis, C. exaltata, C. goensis, C. montana auct. non Roth, C. timorensis, C. timoriensis)
- Senna toraSenna toraSenna tora is a legume in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It's name has been derived from Sinhala language, in which it is called Tora . In Sri Lanka it is easily found in many places. It grows wild in most of the tropics and is considered a weed in many places; its native range is not well known...
L. – Sickle Wild Sensitive-plant - Senna uniflora (as C. ciliata Hoffmanns., C. monantha, C. ornithopoides, C. sensitiva Jacq., C. sericea, C. uniflora)
- Senna wislizeniSenna wislizeniSenna wislizeni is commonly called Wislizenus' Senna or Shrubby Senna...
– Wislizenus' Senna, Shrubby Senna
and many more