Rank Species | ||
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Similar Cassia brewsteri, Cassia abbreviata, Cassia grandis, Cassia marksiana, Cassia javanica | ||
Cassia roxburghii ceylon senna
The Red Cassia, (Cassia roxburghii), also known as the Roxburgh's cassia, and Ceylon senna, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia. It ranges throughout South India and Sri Lanka.
Contents
The Latin specific epithet roxburghii refers to the Scottish Botanist William Roxburgh.
Description
The red cassia is a medium-sized tree, growing to 15–20 m (49–66 ft) tall with spreading, drooping branches. The leaves are clusters of pink, rose or orange flowers, 15–60 cm (5.9–23.6 in) long, and pinnate with three to eight pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 7–21 cm (2.8–8.3 in) long and 4–9 cm (1.6–3.5 in) broad. The flowers are produced in pendulous racemes 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 in) long, each flower 4–7 cm (1.6–2.8 in) diameter with red to pinkish petals. The fruit is a legume.
