Senna Spectabilis, Native, Classification, Challenges, Latest News

It is one of the medicinal plants used in Cameroon by traditional healers to treat epilepsy, constipation, insomnia, anxiety.

Senna spectabilis is considered an invasive alien plant.

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Senna spectabilis Latest News

Kerala has carried out India’s first science-based, community-driven eradication of Senna spectabilis which could restore south India’s forests.

It is an invasive species native to tropical America.
Common names: Popcorn Bush Cedar, Archibald’s Cassia, Calceolaria Cassia, Golden Shower, Scented Shower, Fetid Cassia.
It forms dense, sterile thickets, choking out native plants, altering soil chemistry and depriving herbivores of food.
It is a tree with a very dense, spreading crown; it can grow 7 – 18 metres tall.
It is often planted for fuelwood, as an ornamental, and as a shade tree in agroforestry situations.
It resembles Kerala’s state flower Cassia fistula, known locally as kanikkonna.
It is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.
Challenges: It has very aggressive growth rate and degrade lands in forest ecosystems which make it challenging to control its spread.

An invasive species is an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native.
These can be introduced to a new area via the ballast water of oceangoing ships, releases of aquaculture species, aquarium specimens, and other means.
Impacts: These are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity.

Source: DTE