Desertsenna
Senna armata
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Joshua Tree National Park (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Senna
- Species:
- Senna armata
- USDA Symbol:
- SEAR8
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; common in desert scrub communities with periodic fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid desert regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Mechanical scarification or hot water treatment improves germination of hard seed coat.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked for 45 to 60 minutes in a 50:50 bleach and water solution, then soaked for 12 to 24 hours in water prior to sowing.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected when pods have matured and begin to split open. Senna armata is found below 3,700 ft elevation in sandy washes and open places in the Colorado and Mojave deserts in Nevada, Arizona and Southern California.
Source: npn.rngr.net