Emperor's Candlesticks
Senna alata
- Native to:
- Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is.
Ajaykuyiloor ( talk )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Senna
- Species:
- Senna alata
- USDA Symbol:
- SEAL4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Anabasis ochrodesma, Fundella argentina, Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Xylocopa micans, Xylocopa tabaniformis Butterflies:Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers fertile soils in tropical climates
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification (hot water treatment or mechanical nicking) greatly improves germination. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI