Senna bicapsularis

Senna bicapsularis, commonly known as the Two-capsule Senna, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent purgative properties, it contains bioactive compounds used traditionally to treat constipation. This plant plays a significant role in ethnobotany, offering valuable insights into natural gastrointestinal health treatments.

  • Scientific name: Senna bicapsularis
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Africa

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. Specifically, Senna bicapsularis is identified by its genus, Senna.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Senna WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Senna bicapsularis, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is identified as 双荚决明 (zh), 雙莢決明 (yue), 双荚决明 (zh-hans), and 双荚决明 (zh-cn). In Portuguese, it is commonly called Canudo-de-pito (pt).
Language Common Name Source
zh 双荚决明 Wikidata
pt Canudo-de-pito Wikidata
yue 雙莢決明 Wikidata
zh-hans 双荚决明 Wikidata
zh-cn 双荚决明 Wikidata
az Adipera bicapsularis Wikidata
az Adipera spiciflora Wikidata
az Cassia bicapsularis Wikidata
az Cassia bicapsularis var. aristata Wikidata
az Cassia berterii Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Egypt and Morocco. Its presence extends into the Macaronesia archipelago, where it inhabits the Canary Islands. Furthermore, the species is established in the islands of Cape Verde. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Madeira.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Morocco WCVP
Macaronesia Canary Is. WCVP
Macaronesia Cape Verde WCVP
Macaronesia Madeira WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Senegal WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Equatorial Guinea WCVP

Chemicals

Senna bicapsularis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rhein.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
rhein 1 ★☆☆☆☆