American Senna
Senna hebecarpa
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
Homer D. House, New York State Botanist. Walter B. Starr of the Matthews-Northrup Company, Buffalo, and Harold H. Snyder of the Zeese-Wilkinson Company, New York, photographers.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Senna
- Species:
- Senna hebecarpa
- USDA Symbol:
- SEHE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens) Butterflies:Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers fertile soils in open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat (nick or hot water) then cold stratify for 30-60 days for best germination.
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds are harvested from existing populations within the Appalachian Plant Materials Center in southeastern West Virginia. The plant is common throughout the Eastern United States from Maine south to Georgia and westward to Illinois and Wisconsin.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires scarification. | Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)