Senna aciphylla, commonly known as sprawling senna[2] or Australian senna,[3] is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a sprawling shrub with pinnate leaves with eight to twelve pairs of linear to narrowly elliptic leaflets, and yellow flowers in pairs or groups of three.
| Sprawling senna | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Genus: | Senna |
| Species: | S. aciphylla
|
| Binomial name | |
| Senna aciphylla | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description
editSenna aciphylla is an erect or sprawling shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 3 m (9.8 ft). Its leaves are pinnate, 30–50 mm (1.2–2.0 in) long on a petiole usually 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) long, with four to eight pairs of linear or narrowly elliptic leaflets 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) long and 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide. The edges of the leaflets are usually rolled under, the end of each almost sharply-pointed and there is a stalked gland between each pair of leaflets. The flowers are yellow and arranged in upper leaf axils in pairs or groups of three on a peduncle 20–50 mm (0.79–1.97 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long. The petals are 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long and there are ten fertile stamens, the longest anthers 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long. Flowering occurs in spring and summer, and the fruit is a linear pod 60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 in) long.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy
editThis species was first formally described in 1854 by Asa Gray who gave it the name Cassia aciphylla in United States Exploring Expedition from an unpublished description by George Bentham.[5][6] In 1989, Barbara Rae Randell transferred the species to Senna as Senna aciphylla in the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.[7][8] The specific epithet (aciphylla) means "pointed leaves".[9]
Distribution and habitat
editSenna aciphylla grows in forest and rocky slopes in woodland, in south-eastern Queensland, on the coast, ranges and western slopes of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and in eastern Victoria.[2][3][4]
References
edit- ^ a b "Senna aciphylla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Wiecek, Barbara. "Senna aciphylla". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Senna aciphylla". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b Jeanes, Jeff A.; Stajsic, Val. "Senna aciphylla". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Cassia aciphylla". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Gray, Asa (1854). United States Exploring Expedition. Vol. 1. Philadelphia: C. Sherman. p. 465. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Senna aciphylla". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Randell, Barbara Rae (1989). "Revision of the Cassiinae in Australia. Senna Miller sect. Psilorhegma (J.Vogel) Irwin & Barneby". Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. 12 (2): 204. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 126. ISBN 9780958034180.