woolly senna

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• woolly senna
• hairy senna

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cassia hirsuta
• Ditremexa hirsuta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is specifically situated in the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Senna, which defines its taxonomic position.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Sennas hirsuta, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in several specific countries within this geographical zone. For instance, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Ghana. Additionally, the species is located within the borders of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Finally, its distribution extends further west to include the country of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna hirsuta is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit diverse topographical settings. It can be found at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL, with an average elevational range centered around 1482.5 m AMSL. While specific habitat classifications for this species are currently noted as unknown or undetermined (?), its ability to span such a vast vertical gradient suggests an adaptability to varying climatic conditions and environmental pressures found across different mountain and lowland gradients.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1482.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

(?)

Life history

The life history of Sennas hirsuta is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy and life form, the species is identified as a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under the life forms of phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located above the ground level on aerial shoots.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna hirsuta is characterized by a growth form that ranges from a subshrub to a shrub. It is a non-woody, terrestrial plant that grows independently without being a parasite or an epiphyte. This species is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a minimum height of 1 m, with a mean height of approximately 2 m, and can attain a maximum height of up to 2.7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.7 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna hirsuta is characterized by a specific metabolic framework and nutrient acquisition strategy. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, a process typical of most temperate and tropical herbaceous species. Furthermore, Senna hirsuta functions as a nitrogen fixer, indicating a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria that allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, thereby enhancing its ability to thrive in nitrogen-limited environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Senna hirsuta is centered on the production of seeds that exhibit significant variability in their physical dimensions. The seed mass of this species is characterized by a mean value of approximately 0.0099916666 g, reflecting the typical energy investment per individual propagule. Within a population, the weight of these seeds can fluctuate considerably, with recorded minimum values as low as 0.0048 g and maximum values reaching up to 0.0126 g. This range in seed mass suggests a diverse reproductive strategy that may allow the plant to adapt to varying environmental conditions during germination and early seedling establishment.

Seed mass max:

0.0126 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0099916666 g

Seed mass min:

0.0048 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Senna hirsuta has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,5-Dimethoxy-p-cymene, Ash, BENZYL BENZOATE, L-dopa, MANGANESE.

2,5-Dimethoxy-p-cymene

1. Natural product research

Ash

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

BENZYL BENZOATE

1. Natural product research

L-dopa

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

MANGANESE

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

POTASSIUM

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Tannins

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Conditions

Senna hirsuta has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include infectious diseases, malaria, tuberculosis.

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tuberculosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology