Senna Spectabilis

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.

About Senna spectabilis

• 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. 

What are Invasive Species?

• 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

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