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Two Leaved Senna

Senna roemeriana

Other common name(s):

Twoleaf Senna

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, High Plains
Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Arid Llano Estacado, Shinnery Sands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Limestone, Caliche, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Common in fields and open woods of West Texas on dry, thin, limestone, soils. Plants of this genus can cause poisoning and fatal illness in humans. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms May-October. Showy, bright yellow pea-like flowers. Forms a neat mound shape as it grows. The thick, gray leaves have a velvety texture and are uniquely divided into two leaflets. Birds love the seeds. Too much water will cause rot. Larval Host: Cloudless Giant Sulphur.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Cassia roemeriana

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=SERO8. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11697&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=505174#null, 6) Wasowki, Andy and Sally, 1991, Native Teas Plant, Landscaping Region by Region, 182.

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