Siamese cassia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pheasantwood
• Siamese cassia
• Siamese senna
• Thai cassia
• Thailand shower
• kassodtree
• Iron Wood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chamaefistula gigantea
• Cassia arborea
• Cassia florida
• Cassia siamea
• Cassia siamea var. puberula
• Cassia sumatrana
• Cassia gigantea
• Senna sumatrana

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. It further falls into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, specifically as a member of the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Senna siamea, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in several countries, including Benin and Burkina. Additionally, the species can be found spanning through the territory of Ghana. The plant's range also extends to Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical reach is confirmed within the borders of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna siamea is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1600 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to human-disturbed environments, specifically occupying anthropogenic habitats (Área Antrópica) where it often establishes itself in areas modified by human activity.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Senna siamea is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, demonstrating a long-term survival strategy within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that supports its upright growth habit. This species maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing seasonal shedding. Depending on the specific environmental context and developmental stage, its life form is consistently identified as a phanerophyte, ensuring its structural presence and continued biological activity across multiple growing seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna siamea is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic organism. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical development, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of approximately 21.34 m, maintaining an average height of around 15 m. Although it possesses a sturdy, woody structure, its growth habit is classified as self-supporting rather than acting as a liana, vine, or obligatory climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

21.33625945 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna siamea is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. In terms of structural biomass characteristics, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 705 mg/cm³, reflecting its internal tissue density and mechanical strength. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing relationships.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

705 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna siamea is characterized by the development of fruit in the form of a pod. These fruits are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to facilitate the release of seeds. The dispersal of the seeds follows an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes self-dispersal mechanisms to distribute its progeny. The seeds themselves exhibit specific physical dimensions, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.025108889 g. The individual seed weight varies within a relatively narrow range, with a minimum mass of 0.0227 g and a maximum mass of 0.02899 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Fruit type :

pod

Seed mass max:

0.02899 g

Seed mass mean:

0.025108889 g

Seed mass min:

0.0227 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senna siamea has 4 reported plant parts identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem, root, flower.

Leaf

1. Heliyon
2. Arquivos de gastroenterologia
3. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
4. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
5. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Stem

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Journal of Asian natural products research
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
4. Journal of natural products
5. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Root

1. Natural product communications
2. Phytochemistry
3. Parasitology research

Flower

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Chemicals

Senna siamea has 50 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cassiarin A, Barakol, Chrysophanol, Flavonoids, Friedelin.

cassiarin A

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Toxicology reports
3. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Barakol

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Heliyon

Chrysophanol

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Natural product communications

Flavonoids

1. Toxicology reports
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Friedelin

1. Natural product communications
2. Toxicology reports

emodin

1. Natural product communications
2. Toxicology reports

kaempferol

1. Toxicology reports
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

(E)-beta-damascenone

1. Natural product communications

(E)-geranyl acetone

1. Natural product communications

1,1',3,8,8'-pentahydroxy-3',6-dimethyl[2,2'-bianthracene]-9,9',10,10'-tetrone

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Senna siamea has 18 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, AntiHIV, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant.

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Heliyon

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Senna siamea has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Ulcer, infectious skin diseases, inflammation, skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations