Senna odorata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Senna odorata |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Flower of Senna odorata at the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Genova | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Senna odorata, which is also known as fragrant senna, spreading cassia, sweet-scented cassia or southern cassia, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family that is native to Australia.
Description
S. odorata can usually reach a height of 1.5–2.4 m (4 ft 11 in–7 ft 10 in), but this upright and sprawling perennial shrub may become a tree. It has paripinnate alternate leaves, with six to 12 pairs of leathery textured, slender, oval leaflets.
Flowers are bright yellow and cup-shaped, arranged in small clusters or in panicles. They are lightly fragrant (hence the scientific epithet odorata of the species, meaning odorous). The flowering period extends from midspring to early summer. The fruits are flat legume pods with many small seeds.
Distribution
This species is native to the forest edges of Australia (southern Queensland, south to New South Wales). It has been introduced in India and Mauritius.
