Senna roemeriana (Scheele) Irwin & Barneby
Twoleaf senna, Two leaved senna
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Cassia roemeriana
USDA Symbol: SERO8
This attractive perennial maintains a neat mound shape and grows 1-2 ft. tall. Its showy, yellow, pea-like flowers occur in upper axillary clusters. The leaves are long-stalked and uniquely divided into two leaflets about 1 1/2 inches long.
Named for Ferdinand Roemer, a German geologist who collected specimens in the New Braunfels, Texas, area from 1845-47.
From the Image Gallery
Bloom InformationBloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct
DistributionUSA: NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: S. & w. TX, NM & n. Mex
Native Habitat: Fields; open woods, Common in fields, and open woods of central and west Texas. Well-drained limestone soils.
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry, caliche or clay soils.
BenefitUse Wildlife: Seeds provide an important source of food for birds.
Warning: Plants of this genus (and herbal remedies derived from them) can cause poisoning and fatal illness in humans. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a personís age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plantís different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Various Sulphur butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Value to Beneficial InsectsSpecial Value to Bumble Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
PropagationPropagation Material: Seeds
Seed Collection: Collect pods in late summer when they have turned brown and begun to dry, but before they split open.
Seed Treatment: Air-dry seeds after they have been removed and store in sealed containers.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
From the National Suppliers DirectoryAccording to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:
Wrights Nursery - Briggs, TX
From the National Organizations DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)NPSOT 0048 Collected May 4, 1990 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
NPSOT 0921 Collected Aug 27, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
NPSOT 0216 Collected May 6, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 0295 Collected July 26, 1991 in Bexar County by Judith C. Berry
Wildflower Center Seed BankLBJWC-41 Collected 2006-06-07 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
BibliographyBibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Senna roemeriana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Senna roemeriana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Senna roemeriana
MetadataRecord Modified: 2015-02-19
Research By: TWC Staff