American Sicklepod

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• American Sicklepod
• Java-bean
• Slimming Plant
• Sicklepod
• coffee-weed
• sicklepod senna
• Chinese senna
• coffeeweed
• arsenic weed
• blunt-leaved senna
• foetid senna
• sickle senna

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cassia tora var. obtusifolia
• Cassia tora var. humilis
• Cassia toroides
• Emelista obtusifolia
• Senna toroides
• Senna tora var. obtusifolia
• Cassia rogeonii
• Cassia obtusifolia

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 a member of the Fabaceae family. Specifically, it is classified under the genus Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across multiple continents and climatic zones. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented in Belgium, while it also grows within the Mediterranean landscapes of Spain in Southwestern Europe. Moving toward the African continent, the species is found in the regions of Libya within Northern Africa. Its distribution extends into the Atlantic through the Macaronesian islands of Cape Verde. Finally, the plant reaches the tropical reaches of West Africa, specifically within the borders of Benin.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna obtusifolia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environments, ranging from disturbed human-altered landscapes to complex forest systems. It is frequently found in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), open fields (Campo Limpo), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firmre), and ombrophilous or rainforest ecosystems (Floresta Ombrófila). This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 2100 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 360 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

360 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Limpo, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Genetics

The genetics of Senna obtusifolia are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variability within its populations. Specifically, the chromosome number for this species is not fixed but fluctuates, with documented values of 24, 26, and 28. This variation in ploidy levels or chromosomal arrangements suggests a complex genomic structure that may contribute to the plant's adaptive capacity and evolutionary plasticity across different environments.

Chromosome number :

24, 26, 28

Life history

The life history of Senna obtusifolia is characterized by a flexible biological strategy, primarily functioning as a perennial species with a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual or biennial depending on environmental conditions. As a therophyte, the plant completes its life cycle through the production of seeds, typically existing as an ephemeral organism that relies on seed dormancy to survive unfavorable seasons. This life form is further classified as a therophyte, emphasizing its reliance on seasonal seed germination to persist in its habitat. Additionally, the plant exhibits deciduousness, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna obtusifolia is characterized by a growth form that functions as both a herb and a subshrub, exhibiting a non-woody structure. This plant is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is classified as a terrestrial organism, rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not require climbing structures like lianas or vines to maintain its posture. Its height is variable, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average height reaching approximately 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna obtusifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant exhibits specific foliar morphology, with leaves that typically range in length from a minimum of 1.7 cm to a maximum of 6.5 cm, and a width spanning from 1 cm to 4 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses the physiological capability to act as a nitrogen fixer, facilitating a symbiotic relationship that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing its nutrient acquisition in various soil environments.

Leaf length max:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.7 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sennia obtusifolia is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, which ensures reproductive success under various environmental conditions. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit that is dehiscent, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its seeds. These fruits exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 18 cm, and widths spanning from 0.2 cm to 0.6 cm. The seeds produced are relatively small, with lengths varying between 3.2 mm and 6 mm. In terms of weight, the seed mass is quite light, ranging from a minimum of 0.01184 g to a maximum of 0.03364 g, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.02519 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit length max:

18 cm

Fruit length min:

6 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length min:

3.2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.03364 g

Seed mass mean:

0.025194545 g

Seed mass min:

0.01184 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senna obtusifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, root.

Seed

1. International journal of environmental research and public health
2. Carbohydrate polymers
3. Veterinary and human toxicology
4. Journal of natural products
5. International journal of molecular sciences

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Senna obtusifolia has 88 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aurantio-obtusin, Anthraquinones, betulinic acid, Flavonoids, Physcion.

Aurantio-obtusin

1. International journal of environmental research and public health
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. Botanical studies
4. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Anthraquinones

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of environmental research and public health
3. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Flavonoids

1. International journal of environmental research and public health
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Physcion

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Questin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

emodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

1-O-Methylchrysophanol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

8-O-Methylchrysophanol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

ANTHRAQUINONE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Senna obtusifolia has 439 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimalarial, Antiviral, Estrogenic, Hepatoprotective.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Estrogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AGEs-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Senna obtusifolia has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antiviral, malaria.

Antiviral

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Malaria

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Senna obtusifolia has 10 reported preparations identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70% EtOH extracts, C. obtusifolia seed, Cassia gum, extract, extracted - by maceration method.

70% etoh extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

C. obtusifolia seed

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Cassia gum

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Extract

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Extracted - by maceration method

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Gel

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Hairy root cultures

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hairy roots

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Plant extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Seeds

1. Journal of natural products