Senna pendula
Content
Description
Shrub l-3(-4) m high, indumentum varying from almost glabrous to more or less densely pubescent.
Leaves with 3-6 pairs of leaflets; petiole 1.5-4 cm, sulcate; rachis 3-6 cm with a subsessile, ovoid to obovoid gland between the lowest pair of leaflets, more rarely between the second pair or between all but the distal.
Stipules linear lanceolate, 2-10 mm long, very early caducous.
Sepals glabrous, ovate to oblong, broadly rounded, c. 10 mm long.
Petals golden to orange-yellow, obovate, 15-25 mm long, subsessile.
Stamens: 2 long with filaments 11-12 mm, anthers curved, c. 10 mm, opening by apical pores; 1 shorter with filament 4-5 mm and a similar but narrower anther; 4 short ones with filaments 1-2 mm and straight anthers 4-6 mm; 3 staminodes with 1-2 mm filament and anthers transformed to a trapeziform blade; all yellow.
Ovary sessile, more or less sparsely puberulous; style filiform, incurved or hooked distally; stigma inconspicuous.
Seeds dark brown, flattened, ovoid, 4-6 mm, separated by septa.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical, Tropical and subtropical South America present
Tropical and subtropical South America; elsewhere occurring as a weed; very rare in Malesia.
Taxonomy
This is an extremely variable species in which Irwin & Barneby recognize 19 varieties. However, most of these are not clearly separated. The almost glabrous plants collected in Java are probably best placed in var. glabrata (Vogel) Irwin & Barneby, while the others may approach var. advena (Vogel) Irwin & Barneby.