Fabaceae

Senna hirsuta

Common Names: Hairy sicklepod

Plant Form: Upright herb or small shrub. Size: Up to 3 m tall. Stem: With ridges across and greyish-white hairs. Leaves: 3-6 pairs of large leaflets, up to 10 cm long. Leaflets are covered in whitish hairs, have pointed tips and a finger-like gland on the stalk. Flowers: Bright yellow to deep orange with 5 petals. In small clusters at the leaf forks. Petals may get brown veins as they age. Fruit and Seeds: Very slender, flattened pods 10-18 cm long, usually curved downwards. Covered in long whitish hairs which turn brown as they mature. Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadways, cropping areas, forest edges, woodlands. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from other Sennas (Senna species) by the greyish-white hairs on stems, leaves, and pods.