Dooleyweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Dooleyweed
• arsenic-bush
• laburnum
• smooth senna
• Arsenic Bush
• Wild Senna

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cassia septemtrionalis
• Chamaesenna laevigata
• Cassia septentrionalis
• Chamaefistula elegans
• Chamaefistula laevigata
• Cassia quadrangularis
• Cassia vernicosa
• Cassia coymbosa
• Cassia elegans
• Cassia laevigata
• Cassia × floribunda var. pubescens
• Senna septemtrionalis var. pubescens
• Senna × floribunda var. pubescens
• Adipera laevigata
• Chamaecassia grandiflora
• Chamaecassia laevigata
• Cassia aurata
• Senna aurata

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. Finally, it is identified by the genus Senna as Senna septemtrionalis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian archipelago, it can be specifically found on the island of Madeira. Its range extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Furthermore, the species reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically occurring in Burundi. This wide-reaching presence highlights its adaptability across various tropical and island environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna septemtrionalis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse South American ecosystems, spanning a broad altitudinal gradient from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1931 m AMSL. This species is found within a variety of distinct biomes and vegetation structures, including the Cerrado (latu sensu), where it thrives in open or transitional landscapes, as well as within more humid environments such as the Mata de Galeria (gallery forests) and the Floresta Ombrófila (rainforests). This wide range of habitats suggests the plant is capable of tolerating varying moisture levels and light intensities, ranging from the seasonally dry conditions of the savanna to the more consistently humid and shaded environments of tropical forests.

Elevational range max:

1931 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Genetics

The genetics of Senna septemtrionalis are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture that indicates varying levels of ploidy within the species. Specifically, the chromosome number for this plant is observed at 28 and 56, suggesting the presence of both diploid and tetraploid lineages. This chromosomal variation plays a significant role in the plant's genetic plasticity and its ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions. The existence of these different chromosomal configurations, ranging from the base number to its doubled counterpart, provides a foundational basis for understanding the evolutionary mechanisms and reproductive biology inherent to this medicinal species.

Chromosome number :

28, 56

Life history

The life history of Senna septentrionalis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the soil surface, a structural trait that defines its life form. This species maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. The biological strategy of this plant, combining its long-term perennial lifecycle with a phanerophyte life form and evergreen habit, enables it to maintain a consistent presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna septemtrionalis is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting species that does not exhibit climbing behavior such as a vine or liana. Its height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna septentrionalis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure includes leaves that vary in size, with a minimum length of 4.5 cm and a maximum length of 10.5 cm, while the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 1.4 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a specialized symbiotic capability as a nitrogen fixer, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form to support its growth and nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

10.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna septemtrionalis is characterized by a reliance on sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent. The plant produces fruit in the form of a pod, which is classified as a dehiscence type, meaning it splits open to release its seeds. These pods vary in size, with an average length of 7.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 10.5 cm) and an average width of 7.5 cm (ranging from 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.1 cm). The seeds contained within these pods are relatively small, featuring a mean length of 5 mm, with individual seed lengths ranging between 3.6 mm and 5 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds have a mean weight of approximately 0.0220816665 g, with a minimum of 0.01886 g and a maximum of 0.02596 g. Dispersal of the seeds follows an unspecialized syndrome, suggesting that the plant does not rely on a specific highly adapted mechanism for the spread of its progeny.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Fruit length max:

10.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

7.5 cm

Fruit length min:

6 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

1.1 cm

Fruit width mean:

7.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

5 mm

Seed length min:

3.6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.02596 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0220816665 g

Seed mass min:

0.01886 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Senna septemtrionalis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propan-1-one, 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propan-1-one, CINNAMIC ACID, SYRINGIC ACID, Vanillic acid.

2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propan-1-one

1. Fitoterapia

3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propan-1-one

1. Fitoterapia

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Fitoterapia

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Fitoterapia

Vanillic acid

1. Fitoterapia

calendin

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Senna septemtrionalis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.

Antinociceptive

1. Inflammopharmacology

Conditions

Senna septemtrionalis has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, orofacial pain, pain, visceral pain.

Inflammation

1. Inflammopharmacology

Orofacial pain

1. Inflammopharmacology

Pain

1. Inflammopharmacology

Visceral pain

1. Inflammopharmacology

Preparations

Senna septemtrionalis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloromethane extract, ethanol extract of Senna septemtrionalis aerial parts.

Dichloromethane extract

1. Fitoterapia

Ethanol extract of senna septemtrionalis aerial parts

1. Inflammopharmacology