Senna tora (L.) Roxb. - CAESALPINIACEAE - Dicotyledon

Basionym : Cassia tora L.

Common name : Chinese senna, sickle senna, sicklepod.

Botany Biology Phenology Ecology Distribution Agricultural importance Cultural control Chemical control

Botany :

Description :	Terrestrial, perennial, erect shrublet, up to 100 cm tall. Taproot white or brown. Stem rounded, solid, glabrous. Stipules present, triangular, glabrous. Leaves compound. Flowers bisexual, grouped together in an axillary raceme, stalked, petals 5, yellow. Fruit a pod.
Seeds :	Seeds are 20-30 per pod, rhomboidal, 5 mm x 3 mm glossy, with an areole (1.5-2 mm wide) covering part of the seed surface.

Biology :

S. tora reproduces by seeds. Its high producer. Seeds 20-30 per pod.

Phenology :

Flowering and fruiting throughout the year, most commonly September to December.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soil. It can grow in semi- shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Distribution :

The origin of S. tora is unknown, but nowadays it is only found in the old World tropics. .

Agricultural importance :

It is important weed in pastures and cropped fields in South-east Asia.

Cultural control :

Easily controlled by hand or hoe and by cultivation.

Chemical control :

Pre-emergence prometryne, naptalam, foliar treatment 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T.

Uses :
The leave and the seeds are anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, carminative emollient, hepatic and ophthalmic. They are used in the treatment of skin diseases . A decoction of the leaves my be used as a purgative, vermifuge or to treat cough. The leaves and seed in the treatment of ringworm and scabies, as a diuretic and an antipyretic.
In Indonesia and the Philippines, pounded leaves are smeared on the head of restless children.
In Viet Nam seeds are used as a laxative, and roasted seeds are employed to treat insomnia, hypertension and ophthalmia.
In India, pounded seeds are used to treat itching.
In Chinese medicine. S. tora is used to improve vision. Cattle do not eat the green plant, but do lagged plants and dry pods.

References :
-Henty E.E. and G.S. Pritchard. 1973. Weeds of New Guinea and their control. Botany bulletin No 7.
-Padua de L.S., Bunyapraphatsara N. and Lemmens R.H.M.J. 2002. Plant Resources of South-East Asia 12 (1) Medicinal and poisonous plants 1.

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