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Senna hebecarpa
Senna hebecarpa, with the common names American senna[4] and wild senna, is a species of legume native to eastern North America.[3][2][5] [6] DescriptionSenna hebecarpa grows as a sparsely branched perennial plant. It has alternate, compound leaves.[7] Clusters of light yellow to orange flowers bloom from July to August in North America.[7]
Distribution and habitatThe plant is found from the Great Lakes region and Maine southwards through the Eastern United States, in the Appalachian Mountains and Atlantic Plains, to Georgia.[3][8] It is found in moist open woodlands, and in disturbed areas.[8] EcologyIt is a larval host and nectar source for the Cloudless Giant Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) butterfly.[7] It is also of special value to native bumble bees.[7] [9] Conservation status in the United StatesIt is endangered in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, threatened in Vermont, as historical in Rhode Island,[10] and as threatened in Connecticut.[11] UsesSenna hebecarpa is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use as a perennial wildflower and flowering shrub in traditional and wildlife gardens, in natural landscaping projects, and for habitat restoration projects.[7][5][6] Native American ethnobotanyThe Cherokee use an infusion of the plant for various purposes, including taking it for cramps, heart trouble, giving it to children and adults as a purgative and for fever, and taking it for 'blacks' (hands and eye sockets turn black). They also give an infusion of the root specifically to children for fever. They use a poultice of the root for sores, and they use a compound infusion for fainting spells. They also use a compound for pneumonia.[12] The Iroquois use the plant as a worm remedy and take a compound decoction as a laxative.[13] References
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