Senna skinneri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phragmocassia skinneri
• Cassia skinneri
• Cassia trichoneura
• Cassia nelsonii
• Peiranisia falconiensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Senna skinneri, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Fabales. Ultimately, it is a member of the Fabaceae family and the genus Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within Mexico and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is documented throughout the central, southwest, and southeast portions of the country. Moving southward, the species extends its range into the Central American corridor. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of El Salvador. Finally, its geographical reach includes the tropical landscapes of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna skinneri is characterized by its adaptation to specific low-lying topographical zones, primarily thriving within a narrow elevational range that begins at approximately 150 m AMSL. This mean elevation suggests the species is typically found in lowland habitats, often associating with tropical or subtropical forest ecosystems where moisture levels and temperature regimes are relatively stable. Its distribution is closely tied to the soil compositions and drainage patterns found at these lower altitudes, playing a role in the nutrient cycling and structural complexity of its native vegetative community.

Elevational range mean:

150 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Senna skinneri is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or a small tree. It is an independent plant, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence, lacking aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. While it does not exhibit climbing habits such as a liana or vine, its structure is fundamentally self-supporting rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber. The plant's physical development is defined by its woody tissue, which supports its upright, terrestrial stature within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna skinneri is characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stages of the Calvin cycle. This metabolic process involves the enzyme RuBisCO, which facilitates the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, making the plant's carbon assimilation highly dependent on ambient light availability and temperature fluctuations. As a C3 plant, its physiological efficiency is most optimal under moderate environmental conditions, where the energetic costs of photorespiration are balanced against the requirements for biomass production. This photosynthetic strategy influences the plant's water-use efficiency and stomatal conductance, as it must manage gas exchange to maintain sufficient internal CO2 concentrations while mitigating transpirational water loss.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna skinneri is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit remarkable uniformity in their physical dimensions. Based on quantitative data, the seed mass of this species is highly consistent, with a recorded mean, maximum, and minimum value all converging at 0.0083 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized reproductive strategy, where each seed produced carries a standardized nutrient load of 0.0083 g, ensuring a predictable energy allocation for germinating offspring.

Seed mass mean:

0.0083 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Senna skinneri has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,7-Di-O-methylquercetin.

5,7-Di-O-methylquercetin

1. Alternatives to laboratory animals : ATLA

Activities

Senna skinneri has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Genotoxic.

Genotoxic

1. Alternatives to laboratory animals : ATLA