Wildflowers of the United States

Southern Wild Senna - Senna marilandica

Genus Common Name: Senna

Native Status: Native

Senna marilandica - Southern Wild Senna. Member of the pea family with pinnate leaf structure and dense flower clusters in the leaf axils in the upper part of the plant.

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Distribution of Senna marilandica in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-August-13	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
While senna is a member of the pea family, the blossom is not entirely pea-like. This is a lone blossom, but the blossoms normally form in clusters rising from the axils of the pennate leaves. Maybe this blossom is hiding the rest of the nascent cluster.

Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-August-31	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
When the seedpod develops, the Southern Wild Senna's membership in the pea family is confirmed.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-November-29	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 1/160f/3.2 ISO200 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro 90mm (135 equiv)
Southern Wild Senna seedpods in late November
Click on the photo for a larger image

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Senna marilandica initially published on USWildflowers.com 2009-08-16; Updated 2015-06-25

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Code Update 20230302