Senna italica

Appearance

Individuals of this species are deciduous, perennial herbs, and shrubs up to 60 cm tall. The plant is woody throughout. Taproots are present in this plant. Stems are solid, usually less than 2 m tall. These stems or young twigs are glabrous or sparsely glabrous and sparsely to densely hairy. This species has compound leaves with pinnate veination. There are approximately 4-6 leaflets per leaf, which are arranged spirally and alternately. The leaflets are elliptical, and shortly hairy on both sides. There is a small reddish gland between each leaflet pair on the rhachis of ''arachoides'' subspecies. The stipules are usually have lanceolate-triangular shape. They are approximately 3–9 mm long and early spreading –deflexed.

Naming

There are 3 subspecies of this plant based on the size of the inflorescence and the length of the petiole. The subspecies are ''italica'', ''micrantha'', and ''arachoides''. In many regions, this plant is cultivated commercially and medicinally.

Distribution

Senegal senna is native to African countries from Cape Verde east to Somalia and south to South Africa. It is also native to Asia, from the Middle East to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and India to Sri Lanka. Later, this plant has been introduced to Caribbean and Venezuela. This plant is also introduced to the United States and is currently located at New York Botanical Garden.
The subspecies ''italica'' is often found in West Africa, North Africa, Sudan, the Horn of Africa and from Yemen to Northwest India. But it is naturalized in some parts of South Africa. Subspecies ''micrantha'' is mostly seen from Southern Ethiopia and Somalia southwards to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. ''Micrantha'' has been introduced to India too. ''Arachoides'' are limited to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

Habitat

Senegal senna is native to African countries from Cape Verde east to Somalia and south to South Africa. It is also native to Asia, from the Middle East to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and India to Sri Lanka. Later, this plant has been introduced to Caribbean and Venezuela. This plant is also introduced to the United States and is currently located at New York Botanical Garden.
The subspecies ''italica'' is often found in West Africa, North Africa, Sudan, the Horn of Africa and from Yemen to Northwest India. But it is naturalized in some parts of South Africa. Subspecies ''micrantha'' is mostly seen from Southern Ethiopia and Somalia southwards to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. ''Micrantha'' has been introduced to India too. ''Arachoides'' are limited to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.''Senna italica'' can be seen in grassland of the drier regions of tropical Africa, from sea level up to 1850m altitude. Usually, it is found close to streams and in sandy and disturbed habitats, such as, waste places about towns and country dwellings, abandoned gardens, roadsides etc. This plant is adapted to warm temperature and may grow throughout the year.

''Senna italica'' is known as the host of the root lesion nematode. Serious termite attacks are observed during perennial cultivation.

Reproduction

There are collections of ''Senna italica'' in the gene banks in Israel, the United Kingdom and Namibia. By far, there is no threat of genetic erosion. Selection and breeding of this plant is not attempted, but it would be worthwhile if commercial production is envisaged.

Uses

The leaves, pods and seeds of ''Senna italica'' are mostly used in traditional medicine. In Malawi, root infusion is used to treat diarrhea in infants.

In West African languages, this tree is called mbali or balibali in Bambara, and laïdur in Wolof.

Reports on the uses of ''Senna italica'' is contradictory. In East Africa, it is eaten by most livestock, whereas in West Africa, it is often avoided. In Sahel regions, young seeds are eaten as snacks or a vegetable. On the other hand, the seeds are smoked in Mauritania. In India, the leaves are used as a hair treatment called neutral henna or “blonde henna”. This treatment coats the hair so that it looks glossy and thick for several weeks, but instead of being completely neutral, "neutral henna" appears to have a yellowish impact on hair rather than the reddish one produced by henna. Fruit production of this plant is generally avoided, as their sennoside content is low.