Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

privet senna, privet wild sensitive plant

Synonym(s):

Cassia ligustrina

Genus species:

Senna ligustrina

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

4-8 ft tall by 3-6 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Evergreen. Flowers fall to spring or occasionally summer (most common during the dry season).

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen shrub.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Larval host plant for cloudless sulphur ( Phoebis sennae ), sleepy orange ( Eurema nicippi ) and the introduced orange-barred sulphur ( Phoebis philea ) butterflies.





A gland at the base of the leaves attracts ants that attack the butterfly caterpillars (IRC, 2021)





Sennas attract butterflies, solitary bees including sweat bees and bumble bees, as pollinators.

Native Habitats:

Hammock edges, disturbed areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Because it's a legume it can grow in poor soils, but does better with added organic matter.