Eared Senna, Monkey pod, Dwarf cassia
Senna petersiana

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree that loses its leaves during the year. It grows 7 m high. It is slightly hairy. The stems are slender and grey. The leaves are up to 15-26 cm long. These have leafy structures (stipules) at their base. They have 6-11 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets have short stalks and taper to the tip. They are 4 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. They are dark green and glossy but can be slightly hairy underneath. There is a gland between each pair of leaflets. The flowers are in groups 15 cm long in the axils of leaves. They are also in large branching groups at the ends of branches. They are yellow and have a scent. The fruit are pods 20 cm long and 1.2 cm wide. They hang down. They are dark coloured and have a thickened edge and are slightly curved. They have many seeds. The seeds are edible.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 2,500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. A plant of tropical and warm climates. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The pod is eaten raw. It is sweet. The pods are also boiled to make a gruel. The fruit and seeds are fermented to make an alcoholic drink. The seeds are eaten and popular with children.

It is eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, pod, seeds, fruit - drink, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aiuandet, Bwembanyani, Chebaywa, Gudimoch, Kivukelele, Leleba-mar, Lifahlawane, Lijoye, Mbaraka, Mpatsachokolo, Mtakanyere, Mulambadivhum Munambinambi, Munembenembe, Nembe-nembe, Nembenembe, Ntantanyerere, Ntelewe, Ntowe Mnyasole, Pelepago, Peperepe, Wiwoo wiwoo

Synonyms

Cassia petersiana Bolle;