Senna timoriensis
Content
Description
Small tree, rarely above 10 m tall; young branches and leaves varying in hairiness from subglabrous to velutinous in yellow to golden colours.
Leaves with 10-20 pairs of leaflets; petiole 1-2 cm; rachis 20-30 cm, pubescent.
Stipules auriculate, 1.5-2 cm.
Inflorescences axillary, dense racemes, 10-30 cm long; axis more or less glabrous to yellowish pubescent; bracts caducous, ovate, acute, up to 20 by 15 mm; pedicels 1-3 cm, pubescent.
Sepals unequal, oblong-ovate with rounded apex, 7-15 mm long, yellowish pubescent outside.
Petals yellow, obovate, short-clawed, 15-20 by 10-15 mm.
Stamens: 2 largest with filaments 2-4 mm and anthers 8-10 mm long opening by apical pores; 5 somewhat smaller opening in the same way; staminodes 3, c. 2 mm.
Ovary more or less glabrous; style glabrous; stigma inconspicuous.
Seeds 10-30, elliptic, glossy, flattened, 7 by 5 mm.
Distribution
From Sri Lanka throughout SE Asia to N Australia present
From Sri Lanka throughout SE Asia to N Australia.
Uses
The wood is highly resistant to insect attacks and frequently used for various construction purposes. Young leaves are edible. The pods are locally used in medical treatments of e.g. worms. It is also planted as a wayside tree and in Timor it is used in mixed afforestations for soil protecting purposes. See
Citation
Decne. 1835: Herb. Timor. Descr.: 17
Ridley 1922 – In: Fl. Malay Penins.: 617
Miq. 1855 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 99
Prain 1897 – In: J. As. Soc. Beng.: 163.
Merr. 1918: Sp. Blanc.: 173.
Corner 1940: Wayside Trees: 390
Backer & Bakh. f. 1964 – In: Fl. Java: 541
K. & S.S. Larsen 1980: p. 88. – In: Fl. Camb., Laos & Vietnam: pl. 1/5
K. & S.S. Larsen 1984: p. 111. – In: Fl. Thailand: f. 27/5
Merr. 1918: Sp. Blanc.: 173.
Rudd 1991 – In: Fl. Ceylon: 72.
Fern.-Vill. & Naves 1880 – In: Blanco, Fl. Filip., ed. 3: 55
de Wit 1956 – In: Webbia: 273