SafePlants

Colutea arborescens: The Bladder Senna

Colutea arborescens, commonly known as Bladder Senna or Tree Colutea, is an easily grown shrub known for its yellow pea-like flowers and interesting, inflated pods.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Colutea arborescens L.
• Common Names: Bladder Senna, Tree Colutea
• Family: Fabaceae (also known as Leguminosae)
• Synonyms: The text mentions "coletea arborescens" which appears to be a misspelling or alternative form.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Meridional Europe and Northern Africa.
• Introduced to southwestern regions and often grown in gardens.
• Found in open woods.

Morphological Characteristics

• A vigorous bush that can grow up to 12 feet (approximately 3 meters) in height and width.
• Non-spiny deciduous shrub.
• Leaves are odd-1-pinnate, alternate with 9-13 ovate to broadly elliptical leaflets.
• Distinctive for its highly inflated, reddish bladder-shaped fruits (legumes).
• Yellow pea-like flowers.
• Thin branches with a brown-reddish bark (observed in Colutea istria).

Traditional Uses

• The leaves have been used as a diuretic and purgative.
• Historically used as a substitute for senna as a laxative, though milder.

Quirky Facts

• The plant's common name "Bladder Senna" comes from the Provençal word "baganaudo," derived from the Latin "baca," meaning "berry," referring to the bladder-like pods.
• John Gerard cautioned that Colutea arborescens is not a "true senna," despite its common name.

Seed Dormancy

• Colutea seeds have moderate dormancy and a hard, water-impermeable seed coat, requiring pretreatment for successful germination.

Invasive Potential

• Listed in Invasive Species Most Unwanted lists.

Further Resources

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
• Isle of Wight Natural History &amp Archaeological Soc.
• Wikimedia Commons
• Collins English Dictionary
• Getty Images