Scented Cassia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Scented Cassia
• whitebark senna
• casia amarilla

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pseudocassia spectabilis
• Cassia spectabilis

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 and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across the region of West Tropical Africa. Its specific presence has been documented in the country of Benin. Additionally, it can be located within the borders of Gambia. The species also inhabits parts of Nigeria and Senegal. Finally, its geographical distribution extends to Togo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna spectabilis is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse environmental settings, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 1800 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting a variety of biomes including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), the Cerrado (lato sensu), and Ombrophilous Forests (also known as Rainforests). Furthermore, it is frequently found within anthropic areas, indicating a capacity to persist in landscapes modified by human activity.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Senna spectabilis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is identified as a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte classifications, which indicates that its perennating buds are located well above the ground on aerial stems or branches. This growth habit enables the species to maintain a robust presence in its ecosystem over a long-term duration.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna spectabilis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. This terrestrial species grows as an independent plant, exhibiting no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a significant height, with recorded dimensions ranging from a maximum of 7 m to a mean height of approximately 10.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

10.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna spectabilis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in its natural environment. The plant exhibits specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, featuring elliptic leaf forms that facilitate efficient light interception. These leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. Furthermore, in terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on existing soil nitrogen levels rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to support its physiological development.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna spectabilis is characterized by a distinct flowering cycle and specialized pollination mechanisms. The plant produces yellow flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence, with individual flowers reaching a maximum width of 3.5 cm. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in October. Pollination is driven by biotic factors, specifically utilizing an insect-based syndrome with bees serving as a primary pollinator. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruits that are characterized by a black color. The resulting seeds vary in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 mm to a maximum of 20 mm. In terms of weight, the seed mass is relatively light, with a minimum recorded mass of 0.00933 g, a mean mass of 0.0281325 g, and a maximum mass of 0.04141 g.

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower width max:

3.5 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit colour :

black

Inflorescence :

raceme

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

20 mm

Seed length min:

10 mm

Seed mass max:

0.04141 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0281325 g

Seed mass min:

0.00933 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senna spectabilis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf, fruit.

Flower

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
3. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Leaf

1. Arquivos de gastroenterologia
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Senna spectabilis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-spectaline, (-)-Cassine, (-)-3-O-acetylspectaline, (+)-3-O-feruloylcassine, (-)-7-hydroxyspectaline.

(-)-spectaline

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
3. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

(-)-Cassine

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
2. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

(-)-3-O-acetylspectaline

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

(+)-3-O-feruloylcassine

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-7-hydroxyspectaline

1. Journal of natural products

2,4-(1h,3h)-pyrimidinedione

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Galactomannan

1. Carbohydrate research

Hydroxyanthraquinone

1. African journal of medicine and medical sciences

iso-6-spectaline

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Senna spectabilis has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Sedative

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Senna spectabilis has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anxiety, constipation, epilepsy, insomnia, LeiShmania infection.

Anxiety

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Constipation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Epilepsy

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Insomnia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Leishmania infection

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Leishmania major

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Leishmaniasis

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Ulcer

1. Arquivos de gastroenterologia

Dysentery

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Headache

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Senna spectabilis has 3 reported preparations identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include alkaloid mixture, decoction, flowers.

Alkaloid mixture

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flowers

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry