Privet Senna
Senna ligustrina
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Panamá, Puerto Rico, United States, Windward Is.
Photo by David J. Stang
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Senna
- Species:
- Senna ligustrina
- USDA Symbol:
- SELI9
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- 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
Anabasis ochrodesma
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; common in fire-maintained pine rockland communities in South Florida.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to dry, open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Seeds may benefit from hot water treatment or mechanical scarification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI