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Lindheimer's Senna

Senna lindheimeriana

Other common name(s):

Velvet Leaf Senna

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Rocky, Limestone, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds

Maintenance

Effective in a wildflower garden as either a specimen or background plant. Provide well drained soil. Tolerant of rocky soils. Cut back after it becomes dormant. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms August-October. A bushy perennial with gray, velvety leaves and yellow flowers. Birds love the seeds. Attracts butterflies Larval Host: Sleepy Orange, Sulphur butterflies
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Cassia lindheimeriana

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 53.. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SELI4. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Senna+lindheimeriana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11690&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=505159#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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