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Senna tora - (L.)Roxb.

Common Name Stinking Cassia, Sickle senna
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wasteland and cultivated areas in the Himalayas[51]. To elevations of 1400 metres in Nepal[272].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea to the Phillipines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Senna tora Stinking Cassia, Sickle senna


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Senna_tora_Blanco1.122-cropped.jpg
Senna tora Stinking Cassia, Sickle senna
fotopedia.com/flickr-1250292137

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Senna tora is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

basionym: Cassia tora L.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Coffee

Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable[272]. Roasted seeds are a coffee substitute[272].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Anticholesterolemic  Antispasmodic  Carminative  Febrifuge  Hepatic  Leprosy  Ophthalmic  
Parasiticide  Purgative

The leaves and the seeds are anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, carminative, emollient, hepatic, ophthalmic and purgative[51, 147, 176, 272, 279]. The powdered leaves are used in the treatment of indigestion and stomach pain[272].The leaves are used externally in the treatment of skin diseases[146, 272]. The seed contains anthraquinones and naphthopyrones[279]. It is anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal and hepatic[272, 279]. The seed is used in Korea to treat constipation, oedema, glaucoma, nyctalopia and to protect the liver[279]. A paste made from the seed is used externally in Nepal to treat leucoderma, leprosy and itchy skin[272]. A paste made from the roots, mixed with lemon juice (Citrus limon) is applied as a poultice to treat ringworm[272]. A decoction of the fruit is used in the treatment of fevers[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Parasiticide  Tannin

The seeds (does this mean the pods?) are a source of tannin[146].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

See also [51], [240]. C. Tora Benth. = Senna obtusifolia[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - scarify and then pre-soak the seed for 2 - 3 hours in warm water before sowing it from early spring to early summer in a warm greenhouse[138]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 12 weeks at 23°c[138]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse. Do not plant them out until the following spring[138]. Division as growth commences in spring[11]. Cuttings of moderately ripe wood, July in a frame[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (south) TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan (east), Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Colutea arborescensBladder SennaShrub3.6 4-8 FLMHSNDM024
Colutea istriaBladder-sennaShrub3.0 6-9  LMHSNDM002
Coronilla emerusScorpion SennaShrub2.7 5-9  LMNDM01 
Senna alataRingworm Bush, Candle Bush, Empress Candle PlantShrub4.0 10-12 FLMHNM242
Senna auriculataMatara Tea. Tanner's cassiaTree5.0 10-12 FLMHNDMWe232
Senna marilandicaWild Senna, Maryland sennaShrub1.5 4-8  LMHSNDM03 
Senna siameaSiamese Senna, Kassod TreeTree12.0 9-12 FLMHSNM114
Senna singueanaWinter cassia, Sticky podTree5.0 10-12 FLMHNM233

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Roxb.

Botanical References

Links / References

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