Accession Count: 2
Common Name:
desert senna; Coues' Cassia
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Senna covesii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
S. covesii is a perennial plant that is native to Southwest US and Northwest Mexico (1). This shrub is covered in grey pubescence (4) and has woody rootstocks. The branches of this species reach to lengths of 11 to 25 inches. The leaves are linear stipules having two to three elliptical-oblong leaflets that are one and three-sixteenths inches long (1). The yellow veiny (4) flowers of the desert senna normally surpass the leaves and have thin, claw-shaped petals. The petals are very tiny, only reaching a length of a half an inch. Lastly, the fruits of the Senna covesii are thin and oblong-shaped pods that taper off at the ends. These pods, when mature, will be smooth and have rust-brown coloring. When fully mature, the pods will split open to release the seeds (1).
Compound:
Sen cov
Geographic Origin:
Southwest US, Northwest Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
S. covesii is native to many places in the American Southwest. They propagate in the Mojave Desert that’s located in southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and northern Baja California in Mexico. (2) This perennial shrub grows in open areas in desert regions: hillsides, washes, plains, and an elevation of 1,500 to 2,000 feet.
Cultivation Notes:
The ideal condition for growing Senna covesii are sandy well-drained soils. They are propagated easily from seed or cuttings. To maintain these semi-evergreen plants, prune regularly; their overall maintenance level is moderate (5). Occurring naturally in dry, rocky slopes and mesas. A free seeder, and once established will yield a profusion of offspring in subsequent years.
Ethnobotany:
Coues’ cassia is known for being a butterfly attracting plant. This species is favored by the Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) caterpillars. The leaves and even the petals will be eaten by certain insects (6). The species landscape value fits best in patios, gardens, or poolside.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Winter
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
1.
swbiodiversity.org7. Urban Landscape Committee. Desert Wildflowers. Arizona Native Plant Society, 1991.
