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Canyon Senna

Senna wislizeni

Other common name(s):

Shrubby Senna, Dwarf Senna, Wislizenus's Senna, Wislizenus's Wild Sensitive-plant, Carrozo, Pinacate, Palo Prieto, Pinacatillo, Hojasén, Ejotillo

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

4
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
4
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Acid, Alkaline, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Orange, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Fairly drought tolerant.

Comments

Blooms May-November. Brilliant yellow flowers in 6 in. clusters at the end of the branches. Blooms all summer. A long, flat, dark-brown pod succeeds the flowers. Rigid, leafy branches are lined with compound foliage arranged spirally on spurs. Warning: toxic to humans. Relatively rare in nature but available in some nurseries or NPSOT plant sales. Larval Host: Cloudless Giant Sulphur.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Cassia wislizeni

References

1) Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy, Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, 1988, 1991, pg 236. 2) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 3) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 53. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11681&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SEWI3. 6) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Senna+wislizeni&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=505184#null

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