Coffee senna

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Coffee Senna
• Bitter Root
• Stinking Weed
• Wild Coffee
• Ant Bush
• Arsenic Bush
• Birds Beak
• Coffee weed
• Nigerian senna
• Septicweed
• Sickle pod
• Stink weed
• Stinking pea
• Styptic weed
• Wild French guava
• negro-coffee
• Bana Chakunda
• Mogdad coffee
• Negro Coffee
• Stephanie coffee
• senna coffee
• قهوة سنا

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cassia occidentalis var. aristata
• Ditremexa occidentalis
• Senna orientalis
• Ditremexa caroliniana
• Psilorhegma planisiliqua
• Cassia papulosa
• Cassia obliquifolia
• Cassia occidentalis
• Cassia macradenia
• Cassia ciliata
• Cassia caroliniana
• Cassia falcata
• Senna occidentalis var. andhrica
• Senna andhrica
• Diallobus falcatus
• Cassia planisiliqua
• Cassia plumieri
• Ditremexa fetida

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 is specifically categorized under the genus Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across the African continent and its surrounding islands. Within Northern Africa, its presence is documented in both Egypt and Libya. The species also extends into the Macaronesian archipelago, specifically inhabiting the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Furthermore, its range reaches into West Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Benin. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various coastal and tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna occidentalis is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to a diverse array of environmental settings and significant altitudinal gradients. This species can be found across a wide elevational spectrum, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude regions reaching 2350 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are notably broad, allowing it to thrive in varied ecosystems including Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Limpo, and seasonal deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual). Furthermore, it demonstrates resilience by colonizing both moist environments like the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (Floresta Ombrófila Mista) and specialized niches such as vegetation growing over rocky outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos). Additionally, the plant is capable of establishing itself within anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), indicating a capacity to persist in human-modified landscapes alongside its natural wilderness habitats.

Elevational range max:

2350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Genetics

The genetics of Senna occidentalis are characterized by specific chromosomal arrangements and reproductive structures that define its cytogenetic profile. The species exhibits a variable chromosome number, with documented counts of 26 and 28 chromosomes within its genome. Furthermore, the plant maintains a diploid ploidy level, indicated by a ploidy value of 2, which serves as the foundational chromosomal state for its genetic inheritance and stability.

Chromosome number :

26, 28

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Senna occidentalis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, though it may exhibit variable growth patterns depending on environmental conditions. As a therophyte, its life cycle is centered around the production of seeds that allow the species to survive unfavorable periods, typically existing as an ephemeral annual during its active growing season before relying on its seed bank for persistence. This life form strategy enables the plant to complete its development rapidly when resources are available, ensuring survival through dormant stages.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna occidentalis is characterized by a growth form that ranges from a subshrub to a shrub, exhibiting a non-woody structure. As a terrestrial and independent plant, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting habit rather than acting as a liana or vine. The plant displays significant variability in its stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 5 m, though it maintains an average plant height of approximately 1.17 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

1.16666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna occidentalis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific morphological dimensions in its foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 17 cm, and leaf widths spanning between 1.4 cm and 4 cm. It does not exhibit succulence, maintaining a non-succulent tissue structure. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, a physiological trait that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, enhancing its ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils.

Leaf length max:

17 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna occidentalis begins with the production of characteristic yellow flowers. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod, which typically ranges in length from 8 cm to a maximum of 13.5 cm and maintains a width between 0.65 cm and 9.5 cm. These pods are dehiscent, meaning they split open to release the seeds. The seeds themselves are relatively small, with dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 3.1 mm to a maximum of 5.1 mm, and a width spanning from 3 mm to 3.5 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds are quite light, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0156 g, a minimum of 0.0125 g, and a maximum of 0.02386 g. The dispersal of these seeds is primarily zoochorous, specifically utilizing an endozoochorous syndrome, where the seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Fruit length max:

13.5 cm

Fruit length min:

8 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

9.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.65 cm

Seed length max:

5.1 mm

Seed length min:

3.1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.02386 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0156435415 g

Seed mass min:

0.0125 g

Seed width max:

3.5 mm

Seed width min:

3 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senna occidentalis has 5 reported plant parts identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, root, stem, leaf, fruit.

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Veterinary and human toxicology
3. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
4. Veterinary research communications
5. Journal of analytical science and technology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Natural product communications
3. Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology
4. Biochemistry research international

Stem

1. Scientific reports
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Leaf

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

Fruit

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Senna occidentalis has 59 reported phytochemicals identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aloe emodin, CALCIUM, Chrysophanol, Flavonoids, MAGNESIUM.

Aloe emodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biochemistry research international

Chrysophanol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product communications

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biochemistry research international

MAGNESIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biochemistry research international

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biochemistry research international

SODIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biochemistry research international

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biochemistry research international

emodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product communications

polyphenols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Scientific reports

Activities

Senna occidentalis has 362 reported activities identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hypoglycemic, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antimutagenic.

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Biochemistry research international

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biochemistry research international

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Drug and chemical toxicology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Osteogenic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Senna occidentalis has 19 reported investigations on conditions identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include mitochondrial myopathy, Alzheimer's disease, COVID-19, HIV, Hymenolepis diminuta.

Mitochondrial myopathy

1. Journal of submicroscopic cytology and pathology
2. Experimental and toxicologic pathology : official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie

Alzheimer's disease

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Covid-19

1. Scientific reports

Hiv

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hymenolepis diminuta

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Mers-cov

1. Scientific reports

Sars-cov

1. Scientific reports

Sars-cov-2

1. Scientific reports

Asthma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Senna occidentalis has 34 reported preparations identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, seeds, 90% ethanol extract, Aqueous and organic extractions of ground seeds, Aqueous extracts.

Extract

1. Hindustan antibiotics bulletin
2. American journal of veterinary research

Seeds

1. Journal of submicroscopic cytology and pathology
2. Experimental and toxicologic pathology : official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie

90% ethanol extract

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

Aqueous and organic extractions of ground seeds

1. American journal of veterinary research

Aqueous extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Dai medicine

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

Ethanolic extract of stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic extracts from leaf and stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fractions

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Isoamyl alcohol fractions

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology