Cassia obovata

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Spanish senna
• dog senna
• Eland's Pea
• Eland's Senna / Eland's Pea
• Port Royal senna
• Senegal 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, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its classification within the genus Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across the expansive landscapes of Northern Africa. Within this region, it has a documented presence in the country of Algeria. It is also widely distributed throughout the territories of Egypt and Libya. Furthermore, the species can be identified growing in Morocco. Finally, its geographical range extends into the desert regions of Western Sahara.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna italicica is characterized by its distribution across varying altitudes, primarily thriving in low-lying environments. It is typically found at a mean elevation of 52 m AMSL, with its presence extending from a minimum altitude of 50 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 1450 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests an adaptability to diverse topographical gradients and varying climatic conditions within its habitat.

Elevational range max:

1450 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

52 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Senna italica is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial plant, depending on the environmental conditions and resource availability. Structurally, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent shoots are located close to the soil surface, often protected by the ground layer. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna italica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb or forb. This terrestrial plant is independent, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average height of approximately 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna italica is characterized by a metabolic framework that follows the C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO. Unlike plants that utilize C4 or CAM pathways to minimize photorespiration, this species relies on the standard C3 mechanism, which is typical for many members of the Fabaceae family operating in temperate to subtropical environments. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition capabilities, Senna italica is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it must rely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds, such as nitrates and ammonium, directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna italica is characterized by a specific flowering cycle and fruit development process. The plant enters its flowering stage starting in March, with the blooming period typically concluding in May, though flowering times can be highly variable across different months. The reproductive structures culminate in the production of a pod-type fruit. Upon maturity, these fruits are dehiscence-type, meaning they split open to release their contents. The seeds produced within these pods are quite small, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.023572 g. The individual seed weight fluctuates within a narrow range, with a minimum mass of 0.02112 g and a maximum mass of 0.02854 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

May

Fruit type :

pod

Seed mass max:

0.02854 g

Seed mass mean:

0.023572 g

Seed mass min:

0.02112 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senna italica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Scientific reports
2. Journal of toxicology

Chemicals

Senna italica has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Sennoside A, Sennoside B, Ubiquinone, cis-resveratrol.

Anthraquinones

1. Metabolites

Sennoside A

1. Metabolites

Sennoside B

1. Metabolites

Ubiquinone

1. Scientifica

cis-resveratrol

1. Scientifica

quercetin

1. Scientifica

Activities

Senna italica has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Laxative.

Antimicrobial

1. Scientific reports

Laxative

1. Metabolites

Conditions

Senna italica has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever, inflammation, jaundice, laxative, lung cancer.

Fever

1. Journal of toxicology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Jaundice

1. Journal of toxicology

Laxative

1. Metabolites

Lung cancer

1. African health sciences

Retained placenta

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Wounds

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Senna italica has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanolic extract, Fruits extract, Semiethanolic, aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts, aqueous extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of toxicology

Fruits extract

1. Scientific reports

Semiethanolic

1. Journal of toxicology

Aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of toxicology

Ethanolic

1. Journal of toxicology