Senna

Scientific name: Senna papillosa

POWO Status: Shrub or Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 55.44″ N, 64° 49′ 49.90″ W

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Observations:

Phenological Markers – Senna papillosa

Common Name: No widely established common name; sometimes referred to regionally as a shrubby senna
Scientific Name: Senna papillosa (Britton & Rose) H.S. Irwin & Barneby
Family: Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae subfamily)

Leaf Phenology

  • Leaf Type: Pinnately compound with small, opposite or sub-opposite leaflets; leaflets may be elliptic or oblong, typically glabrous to finely papillose
  • Evergreen to Semi-deciduous: Usually evergreen in moist tropical sites; may become semi-deciduous in dry season or under stress
  • Leaf Flush: Occurs throughout the year, especially after rains or pruning; young leaves may appear lighter green or reddish
  • Senescence: Gradual leaf turnover; some yellowing and drop in prolonged dry spells

Flowering

  • Inflorescence: Bright yellow flowers borne in terminal or axillary racemes or clusters
  • Blooming Period: Seasonal or intermittent year-round, with peak blooming often following dry-season stress or rainfall onset
  • Pollinators: Primarily bees, especially large native bees attracted to yellow Fabaceae flowers
  • Phenological Indicator: Clusters of showy yellow flowers at branch tips; may coincide with new leaf flush

Fruiting

  • Fruit Type: Flattened legume (pod), linear, green when young, turning brown when mature
  • Fruit Development: Appears soon after flowering and matures over several weeks to months
  • Dispersal: Gravity and dehiscence (pods split open to release seeds)
  • Phenological Indicator: Developing or mature brown pods visible along branches, sometimes twisted or curled

Suggested Photo Angles

  • Whole plant habit (typically a small shrub)
  • Leaf detail showing leaflet shape and arrangement
  • Flowering clusters with pollinator activity (if possible)
  • Green and brown pods in developmental stages
  • New leaf flush and seasonal leaf color changes

Notes for Monitoring

Important for tracking native bee activity, early dry-season recovery, and seasonal succession in native plant communities

Senna papillosa is native to the Caribbean region (including Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) and favors dry, open forests and rocky hillsides

Often a component of xerophytic shrubland, where phenology is tightly tied to rainfall and seasonal stress cycles

Flowering is typically more conspicuous than fruiting and may be the most reliable visual marker

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