Senna surattensis aka Glossy Shower

Senna surattensis is a woody shrub or small tree. It belongs to Fabaceae, the pea and bean family. Kew gives its native range as the Indian subcontinent to Myanmar. It grows in a tropical climate with a dry season. Useful Tropical Plants gives a wider range. This spans Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It grows in teak forest and on marshy soil. It occurs up to about 984 feet [300 metres] above sea level.

Useful Tropical Plants gives a height of about 16 feet [5 metres]. It also gives an upper height of 23 feet [7 metres]. These heights cover both its shrub and tree forms. People grow it for its looks across the tropics. The source names Hawaii, Taiwan, and Hong Kong among these places. It can withstand sulphur dioxide, a form of air pollution. This trait adds to its value in those places.

The plant also has a role in planted woodland. Growers in the Philippines use it to shade other plants. They also plant it among young teak trees. Reports say it lacks a partnership that many family members have. Soil bacteria in such partnerships fix nitrogen for the plant. Gardeners should not assume that it adds nitrogen to soil. It grows in marshy sites, but that alone proves little. It does not show how much water gardens should provide.

People gather this plant from the wild for food and medicine. They cook the young leaves and eat them as a vegetable. Past uses include root decoctions for gonorrhoea. These are drinks made by boiling the roots. People have also used the leaves for dysentery. The flowers serve as a purgative, which helps empty the bowels. These records show past use, not proof that treatments work. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards. This does not mean that every part is safe to eat.

To grow plants from seed, the hard coat may need softening. Scarification means breaking or wearing down this coat. It can help more seeds sprout, and sprout sooner. The source describes a short hot-water treatment, then a warm-water soak. This soak lasts 12 to 24 hours. Seeds that take up water should swell in that time. For seeds that stay hard, it suggests nicking the coat with care. Do not cut into the embryo inside the seed. Then soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.