Senna sophera

• Botanical Name : Senna sophera (L.) Roxb.
• Synonyms : Cassia sophera L.
• Plant Family : Caesalpiniaceae
• Plant Form : Shrub
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 27, 28
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

About Senna sophera Plant :

• Habit : An erect shrub or undershrub, annual or perennial.
• Leaves : Leaves with a solitary conical gland near the base of the petiole, leaflets 6-10 pairs, glabrous.
• Inflorescence : Few-flowered racemes.
• Flowers :
  • Yellow in colour.
  • Stamens 10 of which 3 are reduced to staminodes, the others are usually fertile but of varying lengths.
• Fruit : Pods 7-10 cm long, somewhat turgid, seeds 30-40.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : Around October.
• Significance :
  • All the parts of the plant are used for various medicinal properties.
  • The whole plant is purgative and febrifuge.
  • The leaves are used in skin affections as an external application.
  • The roots are diuretic.