Senna marilandica aka American Senna

Taxonomy

Senna marilandica, also known as Maryland senna, Maryland wild senna, and wild senna, is a rare, perennial flowering plant in the pea family that is native to North America. It prefers average to wet soil and can grow up to 6 feet tall. This erect, shrubby plant blooms in the summer with axillary racemes of brownish-yellow, pea-like flowers clustered atop unbranched stems. The flowers give way to long, pendant, pea-like seed pods that turn black in the fall and persist on the plants well after the plant has died back to the ground. Feathery, compound, locust-like, dull green leaves with 4-8 pairs of oval leaflets complete the plant's appearance. The specific epithet of Senna marilandica means "of Maryland." American Senna is an easy-to-grow houseplant that prefers long-lasting, direct light and soil that is well-draining. Despite its name, it is not related to Senna marilandica and belongs to the Senna genus.

Common names

American Senna, Wild Senna, Maryland Wild Sensitive Plant, Maryland Senna

How to care for American Senna

Difficulty

American Senna is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

American Senna should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

American Senna 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

To ensure optimal growth, the American Senna prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

American Senna’s native range is South-eastern N. America - Pennsylvania to Florida, Kansas and Iowa.


More info:
Wikipedia