Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Senna alata (L.) Roxb. (FABACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Candle Bush, Seven Golden Candlestick, Christmas Candle, Ringworm Cassia

Description

Shrub 2-5 m with stout spreading branches. Leaves 30-60 cm long with leaflets 8-20 pairs, without terminal. Flowers in terminal spike, bright yellow, c. 2 cm long, bud protected by a bright orange-brown bract. Fruits 10-16 cm long, squarish in section with 4 narrow wings.

Ecology

Often found in disturbed habitat.

Distribution

S. America naturalised in SE Asia.

Uses

The leaves and plant sap have anti-fungal properties and sometimes used to treat ringworm infections. Widely cultivated throughout the tropics.