Showy cassia, Smooth senna
Senna septemtrionalis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub or tree. It grows 5 m high. The leaflet blades are narrowly oval and taper to the tip. The leaflet blades are 5-10 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The pair of leaflets at the end are the largest. The flowers are yellow and the petals are 13 mm long. The fruit is a pod 7-8 m long by 1.5 cm wide. The seeds are shiny and olive green. They are 5 mm long by 3 mm wide.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry soils. It grows on the edges of forests. In northern Australia it grows between 700-1,100 m above sea level. In Java it grows between 500-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Fiji, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malawi, Martinique, Mexico, Mozambique, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are steamed and eaten with rice. The soft half ripe seeds are cooked or roasted. The seeds are also used for coffee.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, tuber, seeds - coffee

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Frijolillo, Kasingat, Keetjandoong, Malulu, Mkundekunde, Senting, Tarad, Tarod, Tayoomas, Tremblon

Synonyms

Adipera laevigata (Willd.) Britton & Rose; Adipera laevigata sensu Britton & Rose; Cassia elegans Kunth; Cassia floribunda Cav. var. elegans (Kunth) J. Vogel; Cassia floribunda sensu de Wit; Cassia laevigata sensu Colladon; Cassia laevigata Willd.; Cassia septentrionalis Zucc.; Cassia sptentrionalis Sesse & Mocino; Cassia vernicosa D. Clos; Chamaecassia laevata (Willd.) Link; Chamaefistula laevigata (Willd.) G. Don; Senna aurata Roxb.;