Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (14)

Photo: Bart Wursten
Chitengo Camp, Gorongosa National Park

Photo: Sune Holt
Vilankulo, Inhambane, Mozambique

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Cassia siamea Lam.
Common names:	Kassod tree (English) Siamese cassia (English) Siamese senna (English)
Frequency:	Locally naturalized
Status:	Introduced
Description:	Small to medium-sized tree; bark smooth, grey. Leaves paripinnate, 7.5–23 cm long; leaflets in 6–12 pairs, elliptic to oblong, 2.4–6.8 cm long, shortly mucronate at the tip, sparsely appressed-pubescent beneath, marginal nerve prominent; petiolules 2–3 mm long; petiole 2–4.2 cm long, pubescent. Inflorescences in branched terminal heads; pedicels 2.5–3.5 cm long. Sepals 5, broadly ovate, two c. 5 mm long, three c. 10 mm long, hairless to sparsely puberulous. Petals yellow, broadly obovate, c.12 mm long. Stamens 10. Pods linear, 15–23 cm long, hairless, slowly dehiscent along both sutures.
Type location:	a cultivated plant in Réunion.
Notes:	Commonly planted as an ornamental tree and occasionally escaping. It is known to have become naturalized particularly around Chitengo Camp in Gorongosa National Park.
Derivation of specific name:	siamea: of Siam (Thailand)
Habitat:
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native to Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam
FZ divisions:	N,MS,GI,M
Growth form(s):	Tree.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Monday 23 February 2015
Literature:	Brummitt, R.K., Chikuni, A.C., Lock, J.M. & Polhill, R.M. (2007). Leguminosae Subfamily Caesalpinioideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(2) Page 148. Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 266. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 150. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 44. Parker, T. (2023). Common Trees of Mozambique The Tree Press, Austin, Texas, USA Pages 190 - 191. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Senna siamea:

Our websites:

Flora of Burundi: Senna siamea
Flora of Malawi: cultivated Senna siamea
Flora of Mozambique: cultivated Senna siamea
Flora of Zambia: cultivated Senna siamea
Flora of Zimbabwe: Senna siamea
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Senna siamea

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Senna siamea
African Plant Database: Senna siamea
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Senna siamea
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Senna siamea
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Senna siamea
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Senna siamea
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Senna siamea
JSTOR Plant Science: Senna siamea
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Senna siamea
Plants of the World Online: Senna siamea
Tropicos: Senna siamea
Wikipedia: Senna siamea