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(Senna armata)
Desert Senna (Senna armata)
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rockybajada
Public Domain
Image By:
rockybajada
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Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: rockybajada | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: rockybajada | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-03-18T13:08:50-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Senna armata, commonly known as Desert Senna, is an evergreen shrub native to the desert washes and scrublands of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts in California, Arizona, and Northwestern Mexico. It typically grows up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall and wide, with grooved, branching stems that often narrow to thorns at their tips. The spiny branches are coated in tubular hairs, an adaptation that helps protect the plant from the hot desert air. Desert Senna produces fragrant, showy flowers from late winter to early spring, with five petals ranging in color from yellow to salmon pink, each about 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) long. The fruit is a legume pod that can grow up to 1.6 inches (4 centimeters) long.
Desert Senna is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in harsh desert conditions, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-water-use gardens. It is also used for habitat restoration projects within its native range. The plant’s bright flowers attract pollinators, while its thorny branches provide shelter for small wildlife. In cultivation, Desert Senna requires full sun exposure and well-drained soils, and it is highly tolerant of poor soil conditions. It is generally low-maintenance, but gardeners should be cautious as the plant can become weedy under certain conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Desert Senna is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in harsh desert conditions, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-water-use gardens. It is also used for habitat restoration projects within its native range. The plant’s bright flowers attract pollinators, while its thorny branches provide shelter for small wildlife. In cultivation, Desert Senna requires full sun exposure and well-drained soils, and it is highly tolerant of poor soil conditions. It is generally low-maintenance, but gardeners should be cautious as the plant can become weedy under certain conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 3-6 feet
- Width: 3-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Desert washes and scrublands of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts
Other Names
Common Names: Spiny Senna, Desertsenna
Scientific Names: , Senna armata, Cassia armata, Xerocassia armata,
GBIF Accepted Name: Senna armata (S.Watson) H.S.Irwin & Barneby