Bladder senna

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bladder senna
• bladder-senna
• bladder senna

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and the genus Colutea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is recorded in Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it can be found growing in Austria and Belgium. The species also extends through the territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Germany.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Colutea arborescens is characterized by its adaptability to diverse terrain, primarily thriving within forest edges, mountainous regions, and managed parks. This species occupies a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 500 m AMSL. By inhabiting these transitional zones and varied altitudes, the plant establishes itself in environments that provide a balance of sunlight and structural protection, common to the margins of wooded areas and open mountainous slopes.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forestedges,mountains,parks

Life history

The life history of Colutea arborescens is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it sheds its foliage seasonally, typically in response to climatic changes or dormant periods.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Colutea arborescens is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. As a terrestrial and independent species, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining its own structural integrity. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a vine or liana. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 4.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 3.875 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4.5 m

Plant height mean:

3.875 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Colutea arborescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing a standard carbon fixation process typical of many woody legumes. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the digestion of organic prey. Morphologically, its foliage maintains a mean leaf size of approximately 14.6675 cm², which contributes to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 148.5 cm²/g, reflecting a specific balance between leaf thickness and surface area for efficient light interception and resource management.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

14.6675 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

148.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Colutea arborescens is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through August. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects, with bees identified as a primary pollinator. Notably, self-fertilization is absent, necessitating these insect intermediaries for successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant produces dry, dehiscent fruit in the form of a capsule. The seeds produced within these capsules exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.017194643 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.011 g to a maximum of 0.02 g. Seed dispersal is facilitated through both anemochorous (wind) and autochorous (self-dispersal) mechanisms.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.02 g

Seed mass mean:

0.017194643 g

Seed mass min:

0.011 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Colutea arborescens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Colutea arborescens has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal.

Antifungal

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Colutea arborescens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root bark.

Root bark

1. Phytochemistry