Christmasbush
Senna bicapsularis
- Native to:
- Aruba, Bahamas, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galápagos, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Netherlands Antilles, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © juanrrx (iNaturalist #201514255)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Senna
- Species:
- Senna bicapsularis
- USDA Symbol:
- SEBI5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree , Vine
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- sep,oct,nov,dec
- 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
Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), Fundella argentina, Boisduval's yellow (Eurema boisduvalianum)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to tropical and subtropical regions
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break hard seed coat.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)