How to identify Maryland senna (Senna marilandica)

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How to identify Maryland senna (Senna marilandica)

Maryland senna, also known as American senna

Maryland senna displays a lush green foliage that forms a bushy appearance with compound leaves. During its blooming season, it boasts vibrant yellow, butterfly-like flowers. Following the flowering period, it produces distinctive dark brown, tightly closed seedpods that persist through the end of the season. These seedpods typically measure about 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) in length and maintain a closed position until they mature at season's end, contrasting with other similar species that release their seeds earlier.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb, Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Maryland senna

Vibrant butter-yellow flowers in racemes or panicles, transitioning to white as they age.

Distinct dark brown, tightly closed seedpods measuring 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) in length.

Smooth, light green stem with a slightly velvety texture, supporting the plant's bushy form.

Pinnately compound leaves with 6-12 pairs of oval leaflets, parallel prominent veins.

Flattened, elongated fruit pods, dark brown at maturity, sectioned into 10-18 segments.

Detailed Traits of Maryland senna

Leaf Features

The leaves of maryland senna are pinnately compound with 6-12 pairs of oval leaflets arranged along the central vein. Each leaflet typically measures 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in length and 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) in width. They exhibit a dull green color, providing a muted backdrop to the plant. The leaf surface is smooth with a slightly leathery texture. The vein pattern is parallel and prominent, aiding in identification.

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Flower Features

Maryland senna exhibits striking butter-yellow flowers that are not typical pea-like. The flowers, arranged in racemes or panicles, measure 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) long. Each flower features 5 yellow sepals, 5 yellow petals, and 10 dark brown stamens. As the petals age from mid- to late summer, they transition to white. Notably, the flowers exude no scent, making them easily identifiable by these key characteristics.

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Stem Features

The stem of maryland senna is light green and stout, measuring approximately 0.2-0.4 inches (0.5-1 cm) in diameter. The stem exhibits a slightly hairy texture towards the upper part, giving it a somewhat velvety feel. It is generally erect and may have minimal branching. The sturdy and thick nature of the central stem provides a robust support structure for the plant. These characteristics are key identifiers in recognizing maryland senna.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of maryland senna is characterized by flattened, elongated pods that typically measure around 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide (approximately 10 cm long and 1.3 cm wide). At maturity, these pods exhibit a dark brown hue. The surface texture of the fruit is smooth. Each pod is sectioned into 10-18 segments, with each segment harboring a single seed. These distinct segments are a notable feature for identifying the fruit of maryland senna.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Maryland senna and Their Similar Plants

Sicklepod vs. Maryland senna: What's The Difference?

The sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) grows best in full sun and moist soil. It thrives in rocky dirt and nutrient-rich soil. For an annual plant, it's slow to develop and grows best late in its growing season.

Coffee senna vs. Maryland senna: What's The Difference?

Coffee senna (*Senna occidentalis*) is a perennial shrub that prefers warm and humid environments. It is sometimes considered an invasive weed that grows in open woodlands, waste areas, and roadsides. It blooms in spring with yellow flowers, followed by brown fruit in late summer and early fall. Seeds can be used as a coffee substitute, although it does not contain caffeine.

Christmas bush vs. Maryland senna: What's The Difference?

Formerly known as Senna bicapsularis, but more commonly called the christmas bush, this attractive evergreen shrub can grow quite large. It features sunny yellow blooms that appear late in the fall and last through the frost.

Wild senna vs. Maryland senna: What's The Difference?

A versatile member of the legume species, wild senna features clusters of yellow-orange flowers, seed pods, and foliage that changes color in the fall. It once grew wild throughout the Northeastern United States but is now in a protected status. The seed pods are an important food source for the white bob bird, and bees find its pollen particularly attractive.

Golden wonder tree vs. Maryland senna: What's The Difference?

Golden wonder tree is a deciduous tree with a height ranging from 2 to 15 m, fast-growing with a leafy canopy.

Silver Senna vs. Maryland senna: What's The Difference?

An Australian native, silver Senna is not only beautiful but so tough that it can grow as an understory plant to Eucalyptus and gum trees, which alter soil pH so much that almost nothing else can grow near them. This tree has some other unusual characteristics: it grows larger in dry shade than in full sun, and it yellows if given too much water instead of not enough.

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Key Facts About Maryland senna

Attributes of Maryland senna

Lifespan

Perennial

Spread

90 cm to 1.8 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Gold

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Maryland senna

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Legumes, milkworts and allies

Family

Legume

Genus

Sennas

Species

Maryland senna (Senna marilandica)

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Distribution Map of Maryland senna

Native to the eastern part of North America, maryland senna has spread beyond its original range. It has been introduced to regions within the African, European, and Asiatic continents. The plant is also cultivated, which suggests an expanding human-facilitated presence beyond its natural distribution.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Maryland senna

A Comprehensive Guide to Maryland senna How to Grow and Care for Maryland senna