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Federal Noxious Weed
TDA Noxious Weed
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US

NOTE: means species is on that list.

Senna pendula


Climbing cassia, Valamuerto

Synonym(s): Cassia coluteoides,
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Shrub


Photographer: Donna Berry
Source: Rio Grande Invaders

Description

Sprawling evergreen shrub to 4 m (13 ft) tall (or wide), with somewhat zigzag, sparsely hairy stems. Leaves alternate, stalked, even-pinnately compound, with 3-6 pairs of leaflets, larger ones at leaf tip; leaflets to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, oblong with rounded tips; petioles with gland above, between lowermost leaflets (and occasionally between others). Flowers yellow or yellow-green, 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) across, in 3- to 12-flowered racemes near stem tips; stamens with prominent, curved filaments. Fruit a brown slender pod, cylindric, glabrous, 7-12 cm (3-5 in) long.

Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Climbing cassia, Valamuerto.

Ecological Threat: Invades disturbed areas and out competes native species.Often becomes established in sunny openings and then clambers over adjacent canopy.

Biology & Spread: Flowers in late fall to early winter, producing numerous seeds in each pod.

History: Commonly cultivated for ornament in Florida at least since the 1940s, and was found growing the the wild by 1970s.

U.S. Habitat: Disturbed and undisturbed areas of coastal areas. Often becomes established in sunny openings and has been reported from scrub and forest natural areas.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: South America

U.S. Present: AZ, FL, HI, TX

Distribution in Texas: Reported in south Texas.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Senna pendula
EDDMapS: Senna pendula
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Senna pendula

Native Alternatives

Management

Do not plant. Remove root system and seedlings from landscape.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Floridata. 2004. Senna pendula. Accessed 20 August 2010: http://www.floridata.com/ref/s/senn_pen.cfm).

K.A. Langeland and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. University of Florida.

Online Resources

https://plantatlas.usf.edu/flip/plant.aspx?id=37

Search Online

Google Search: Senna pendula
Google Images: Senna pendula
NatureServe Explorer: Senna pendula
USDA Plants: Senna pendula
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Senna pendula
Bugwood Network Images: Senna pendula

Last Updated: 2024-01-29 by
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