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sicklepod

Scientific Name: Arabis canadensis

Family: Brassicaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Biennial

Other Names: FL (sicklepod), NH (sickle-pod)

       

Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia)

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is sometimes referred to as "Arsenic Weed."
  • Sicklepod senna is described as a foul-smelling herb.

Common Names

  • Chinese senna
  • American sicklepod
  • Sicklepod
  • Coffeebean
  • Java bean
  • Coffee weed
  • Blunt-leaf Senna
  • Arsenic Weed

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby
  • Family: Caesalpiniaceae (Caesalpinia family), Legume (or Bean) family
  • Genus: Senna, sometimes separated into the monotypic genus Diallobus.
  • Synonyms:
    • Cassia obtusifolia (L.)
    • Cassia tora (L.)
    • Cassia tora

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to America.
  • Occurs in many tropical countries.
  • Native to southeastern North America.
  • Invasive in California and many other parts of the world.

Ecological Role

  • A vigorous, competitive woody shrub.
  • Declared a Class 2 Pest Plant in Queensland, Australia.
  • Considered a weed pest in some areas and can be a serious weed of crops.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Annual or short-lived perennial herb/shrub growing to heights of 1.5 to 2.5 meters.
  • Coarse annual herb, typically 0.4 to 0.5 meters tall.
  • Stems with woody base and branches usually sparsely hairy on newest growth.
  • Widely spreading with numerous ascending, hairless branches.
  • Compound leaves with 4-6 leaflets. Leaflets are sparsely hairy and arranged oppositely from one another (pinnately compound). Leaflets are obovate, with the largest leaflets being 3 to 5 cm.
  • Offers bright green, attractive foliage and cheerful yellow flowers.
  • Slender curved pods.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Deer may graze on sicklepod in crop fields.
  • Evaluation of Fusarium oxysporum as a potential bioherbicide.

Further Information

  • CABI Invasive Species Compendium: www.cabi.org/ISC
  • Queensland Government Land Protection Fact Sheet PP18: "Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) in Queensland"
  • Information Sheet IS13084 from sugarresearch.com.au: "Sicklepod. Senna obtusifolia."