Woolly Senna
Senna hirsuta
- Native to:
- Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
Dinesh Valke (www.flickr.com) from Thane, India
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Senna
- Species:
- Senna hirsuta
- USDA Symbol:
- SEHI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub , Tree
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire; common in fire-maintained disturbed habitats.
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 open, disturbed areas; tolerates poor soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have hard coat requiring scarification (hot water treatment or mechanical). Germinates readily after treatment.