Senna didymobotrya

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows up to 3 m tall. There can be several stems. The young leaves and branches are hairy. The leaves can be 35 cm long. They are oval to heart shaped. The flower petals are yellow. The pods are 8-10 cm long by 1.6-1.8 cm wide. There are 9-16 seeds. The seeds are dull brown and 7-8 mm long by 4-5 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central America, Congo DR, Congo R, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Panama, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

How it is used for food

Several drinks are made from the leaves and roots to treat several diseases. They should only ever be used in very small and processed amounts.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution, medicine

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Magendenakuru

Synonyms

Cassia bracteosa Welw. ex W. Bull.; Cassia didymobotrya Fresen.; Cassia nairobensis Hort. ex L. H. Bailey; Cassia nairobiensis L. H. Bailey; Cassia verdickii De Wild.; Chamaesenna didymobotrya (Fresen.) Small;