Fabaceae-Caesalpinaceae
Senna singueana
Winter cassia, Sticky pod, Scrambled egg · Mbaraka, Mkundekunde, Mhombe, Mfunguo
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Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This deciduous shrub or small tree can reach 1-15 metres, featuring an open crown and reddish bark that ages to rough grey-brown. Its compound leaves have 4-10 pairs of oval leaflets, each pair distinguished by a prominent gland. Fragrant, deep yellow flowers often appear in racemes when the plant is leafless, followed by linear, sometimes twisted, indehiscent pods that ripen to a yellowish hue.
Where it works in Kilifi
A versatile ornamental, this tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for specimen planting or providing light shade in a Kilifi-coast garden. It is found from sea level in various dryland habitats, including on termite mounds, making it suitable for restoration projects in appropriate settings.
Growing notes
A fast-growing species, *Senna singueana* is drought-tolerant once established, requiring watering approximately every two weeks for optimal growth during dry periods. It is generally hardy, but young plants should be protected from browsing animals. This plant is known to be toxic, so exercise caution.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: nih.gov, prota4u.org, theferns.info, worldagroforestry.org, nmppdb.com.ng, pfaf.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.