Senna surattensis - Lee County Extension - University of Florida

Stephen H. Brown<br />

Tropical Flowering Tree Specialty<br />

<strong>Lee</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Extension</strong> Service<br />

Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong><br />

(239) 461-7500, shb@ifas.ufl.edu<br />

http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulturenew.htm<br />

<strong>Senna</strong> <strong>surattensis</strong> Fabaceae<br />

Golden <strong>Senna</strong>, Bush <strong>Senna</strong>, Glaucous Cassia, Flower Display: A+<br />

Scrambled Egg Tree<br />

Under most circumstances <strong>Senna</strong> <strong>surattensis</strong> is a dependable<br />

and impressive small flowering tree. It is commonly planted as a<br />

street and landscape tree in south <strong>Florida</strong> and the Bahamas. The<br />

flowering days <strong>of</strong> S. <strong>surattensis</strong> are prolonged and beautiful. As<br />

a species, it is capable <strong>of</strong> flowering from January through December.<br />

Many trees have their best show in the spring and summer<br />

while others are at their showiest from fall into spring. Late<br />

summer and mid winter are usually the two periods <strong>of</strong> minimum<br />

or no flower displays, and mid winter is when many trees can<br />

become quite unkempt. What’s quite noticeable is that most<br />

trees, growing in close proximity to each other, either put on an<br />

exceptional show or nary a flower. This suggests that flowering<br />

is stimulated by local maintenance regimes more so than by<br />

changing weather. Newly planted trees must be kept well watered<br />

to become established and apparently to flower adequately.<br />

After establishment reduce irrigation. In alternate years, prune<br />

once after a major flowering episode to keep a tight attractive<br />

canopy. You may want to prune more <strong>of</strong>ten since heavy flowering<br />

can leave some trees disheveled, with scant leaves and dry,<br />

hanging, blackened pods. The trunk and branches are a silvergray<br />

color. The crown is naturally rounded and airy, but pruning<br />

and wind damage will thicken and shorten the canopy <strong>of</strong> many<br />

Continues on next page<br />

S.H. Brown<br />

North Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong> Late November<br />

S.H. Brown<br />

Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong> Mid March<br />

S.H. Brown<br />

Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong> Mid November<br />

Caterpillar soon to become a Cloudless Sulphur butterfly

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S.H. Brown<br />

Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong> Late November<br />

S.H. Brown<br />

Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong> Late November<br />

Leaves: Even-pinnate, alternate, dark green, to about 7 inches long usually having 6-9 opposite<br />

pairs <strong>of</strong> obovate to oblong leaflets<br />

Flowers: Yellow with 10 stamens to 1-1 ½ inches wide in semi-erect panicles<br />

Fruits: Pods, flat, papery to about 7 inches long<br />

S.H. Brown<br />

Naples, <strong>Florida</strong> Early October<br />

Continued from previous page<br />

trees. Easily toppled by wind, S. <strong>surattensis</strong><br />

should probably be staked<br />

for up to three years after planting or<br />

until it becomes properly established.<br />

It is generally not a long-lived tree,<br />

and will usually not survive for more<br />

than 6 years under normal streetscape<br />

conditions. However, properly<br />

tended, it can live for more than 10<br />

years. This means keeping it properly<br />

standing and maintaining it free <strong>of</strong><br />

scales and the pink hibiscus mealybug.<br />

Typical <strong>of</strong> this genus, S. <strong>surattensis</strong><br />

attracts egg-laying cloudless<br />

sulfur butterflies. The caterpillars<br />

feed on the leaves and flowers <strong>of</strong> the<br />

tree. However, caterpillar feeding<br />

does little to detract from the beauty<br />

<strong>of</strong> its magnificent displays. Maintain<br />

a fertilizer schedule for best appearance.

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S.H. Brown<br />

North Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong> Mid August<br />

Hurricane toppled <strong>Senna</strong> Surattensis<br />

S.H. Brown<br />

Fort Myers, <strong>Florida</strong> Mid December<br />

Scale insects can cause stem die-back<br />

Golden <strong>Senna</strong><br />

Syn: Cassia glauca, Cassia <strong>surattensis</strong><br />

Origin: India, Southeast Asia, Tropical<br />

Australia<br />

Zone: 9b-12b, 20ºF<br />

Growth Rate: Fast<br />

Flowering Months: January through<br />

December<br />

Flowering Days:<br />

Leaf Persistence: Evergreen to Semi-<br />

Deciduous<br />

Messiness: Moderate<br />

Salt Tolerance: Low<br />

Drought Tolerance: Medium<br />

Nutritional Requirements: Medium<br />

Potential Pests: Caterpillars, Hibiscus<br />

Mealybugs, Scales<br />

Typical Dimensions: 14’x11’<br />

Uses: Butterfly Garden, Container, Garden,<br />

Park, Parking Lot, Poolside, Streetscape<br />

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other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation,<br />

martial status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Cooperative <strong>Extension</strong> Service, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Florida</strong>, IFAS, <strong>Florida</strong> A. & M.