Senna artemisioides aka Leafless Cassia

Taxonomy

Senna artemisioides, also known as wormwood senna or silver senna, is an evergreen shrub endemic to Australia. It belongs to the pea family Fabaceae and can be found in all mainland states and territories. With a maximum height of 2 to 3 meters, this woody shrub has a silvery appearance due to the presence of short white hairs on the branchlets and leaves. The downy grey-green leaves are divided into linear leaflets and have a pinnate structure with 4-8 pairs of leaflets. The axillary racemes produce fragrant yellow or pale yellow flowers, measuring about 1cm across, which bloom sporadically throughout the year. The Latin specific epithet artemisioides refers to its resemblance to the Artemisia group of plants, commonly known as wormwood.

Common names

Leafless Cassia, Wormwood Senna, Silver Senna, Silver Cassia, Feathery Cassia

How to care for Leafless Cassia

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Leafless Cassia, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Leafless Cassia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Leafless Cassia loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Leafless Cassia thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Silver Cassia.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Leafless Cassia plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.


More info:
Wikipedia