Senna spectabilis (Calceolaria Shower, Pisabed, Yellow Shower)


Botanical Information

FamilyFabaceae
GenusSenna
Speciesspectabilis
CategoryTropicals
TypeTree (deciduous)

Description and Growing Information

PropagationSeeds can be sown directly at the planting site, or seedlings can be used.
HabitatMexico and South America
Bark/Stem DescriptionBark smooth, grey with horizontal markings, many warts and short fissures, rougher with age with broad vertical bands of large lenticels (corky pores).
Leaf DescriptionLeaves alternate, up to 40 cm, compound (pinnate) with 4-15 (max. 19) pairs of leaflets, each up to 7.5 cm; petiole 3-4 cm; rachis 10-20 cm (max. 35); stipules paired, threadlike, linear falcate, early caducous, about 1 cm long, without glands.
Flower DescriptionInflorescence large, terminal, lateral, leafy panicles, 15-30 cm (max. 90) long, which are branched and very large. Flowers many, fragrant, composed of 5 rounded hairy bracts, which are ovate, 4-5 mm long, caducous; pedicles 2-3 mm, velutinous.
Fruit DescriptionFruit cylindrical or flattened pods ending in a short, narrow point, hard, not splitting open or slightly on 1 side; pendulous, more or less terete or slightly compressed, glabrous, glossy, annulate-septate, 18-25 (max. 30) x 1 cm, turning from green

Photographs