Senna italica

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

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  • Botanical Name : Senna italica Mill.
  • Synonyms : Senna obtuse Roxb, Cassia italic (Mill) Spreng
  • Common Name : Bhony Aval, Mindhi Aval, Pataval
  • Plant Family : Caesalpiniaceae
  • Plant Form : Herb
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : 11

About Senna italica Plant :

  • Habit : A diffuse perennial herb with stems glabrous, woody below, branches spreading.
  • Leaves :
    • Rachis glabrous, without any glands.
    • Leaflets 3-6 pairs, glabrous above, more or less glabrous beneath, stipules minute very acute.
  • Inflorescence : Axillary racemes.
  • Flowers : Yellow, stamens 7, very unequal.
  • Fruit :
    • Pods very typical, flat, thin, glabrous, falcatelyrecurved, transversely veined and with a prominent crest down the middle of the faces, the persistent base of the style somewhat lateral. Seeds 8-12, wedge-shaped, with a transverse ridge across the middle of each face.
  • Flowering and Fruiting Time : August - November
  • Significance : The whole plant is sold in the bazaars as a substitute for the true senna.