Senna alata (L.) Roxb., Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results: 

Reject, score: 20 (Go to the risk assessment (Australia))
High risk, score: 10 (Go to the risk assessment (Pacific))

Other Latin names:  Cassia alata L.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: acapulco, akapuku, andadose, candalaria, take-biha

Chinese: chi jia jue ming

Chuukese: arakak, arekak, salai, yarakaak

English: Roman candle tree, candelabra plant, candle bush, candlestick senna, emperor's candlesticks, golden candelabra tree, ringworm bush

Fijian: bai nicagi, mbai ni thangi

French: bois dartre, catépen, dartres, epis d'or, quatre épingle

Hindi: dadmurdan

Kapingamarangi: rakau honuki, tirakahonuki, tuhkehn kilin wai

Kwara‘ae: bakua

Niuean: mulamula

Palauan: kerula besokel, yult

Pohnpeian: truk-en-kili-n-wai, truke-n-kili-n-wai, tuhken kilinwai

Samoan: fa‘i lafa, lā‘au fai lafa

Spanish: bajagua, mocoté, palo de abejón

Tongan: fa‘i lafa, la‘au fa‘i lafa, te‘elango

Yapese: flay-n-sabouw, geking sepan

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "Shrubs, 1.5-3 (-5) m tall. Branches greenish, thick, pubescent. Leaves 30-60 cm; stipules persistent, triangular, 6-10 (-15) mm; petiole and rachis with 2 longitudinal ribs and narrow wings; petiolar glands absent; petiolules very short or leaflets subsessile; leaflets 6-12 (-20) pairs, oblong or obovate-oblong, 6-15 x 3.5-7.5 cm, thinly leathery, glabrous, base obliquely truncate, apex obtusely rounded and cuspidate. Racemes axillary, dense, many flowered, or sometimes several racemes forming a terminal panicle, 10-50 cm; peduncles 7-14 cm; bracts caducous, strobilaceous, oblong to broadly ovate, 2-3 x 1-2 cm, at first enveloping flowers. Flowers ca. 2.5 cm in diameter. Sepals orange-yellow, oblong, unequal. Petals bright yellow, tinged with conspicuous purple veins, ovate-orbicular, 16-24 x 10-15 mm, shortly clawed. Stamens 10, fertile stamens 7, opening with apical pores, lower 2 with stout filaments ca. 4 mm and larger anthers, 4 with filaments ca. 2 mm and smaller anthers, reduced stamens 3 or 4. Ovary puberulent, sessile; ovules many. Legume winged, sharply tetragonal, 10-20 x 1.5-2 cm, glabrous, with a broad, membranous wing down middle of each valve; wings 4-8 mm wide, papery, crenulate. Seeds 50-60, compressed, deltoid"  (Flora of China online).

"Coarse erect shrub to 3-4 m tall; leaves to about 50-80 cm long, with 8-14 pairs of large leaflets (the distal ones largest), up to 17 cm long, ovate-oblong, obtuse, truncate, or even slightly notched at apex, subsessile; inflorescence a long-pedunculate erect dense oblong spike, the yellow flowers crowded and overlapping; pod ripening black, straight, papery in texture, winged on the angles (2), up to 15-20 cm long and slightly over 1 cm wide; seeds numerous (to 60), flat" (Stone, 1970; p. 310).

Habitat/ecology:  "Forests and forest edges, humid ravines, riverbanks, wood- and grassland.  This short-lived shrub grows best in sunny locations on moist soils and forms dense thickets where invasive.  The large leaves shade out most native plants so that species richness is strongly reduced under canopies of this shrub.  The plant is not nitrogen-fixing.  Seedlings establish and entensive root system in the first year and compete for space and nutrients.  The plant is also a significant agricultural weed"  (Weber, 2003; p. 397).  Prefers open areas and sunlight.  Often forms thickets.  Often grown as an ornamental.  Particularly aggressive in areas where there is a high water table  (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 148).

In Hawai‘i, "cultivated and persisting after cultivation or perhaps escaping"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 698); "forms dense stands in pastures"  (Motooka et al., 2003).  In Fiji, "cultivated in gardens and villages and becoming sparingly naturalized in swampy places at elevations from near sea level to about 250 m"  (Smith, 1985; pp. 113-114).  In Guam, "common along roadside, in old  abandoned fields, and other weedy localities"  (Stone, 1970; p. 310).  In Australia, "in perennially moist areas such as along creek lines and drainage channels, and occasionally on disturbed and overgrazed areas"  (Smith, 2002; p. 37). In New Guinea, "a plant of roadsides and waste land, and sometimes troublesome in pasture" (Henty & Pritchard, 1975; p. 113).

Propagation:  Seeds; pods and seeds can be distributed by water or animals.  Can also sucker from roots. (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 148).

Native range:  Northern South America (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ofu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 40)
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ofu Island	introduced	Ragone, Diane/Lorence, David H. (2003) (p. 54)
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 38)
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1959) (voucher ID: BISH 153601) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1975) (voucher ID: BISH 430363) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 26) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 31563 (US), Falanruw 2172 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane (2000) (p. 24)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 35)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 593727) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 71)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 153573) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Chuuk Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 153641) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Dublon (Tonowas) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Dublon (Tonowas) Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 29)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Dublon (Tonowas) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1935) (voucher ID: BISH 153646) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 29)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Puluwat (Pwonowót) Atoll	introduced	Manner, H. I./Mallon, E. (1989) (p. 47) Voucher cited: Manner & Mallon 268 (GUAM)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Satawan Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Satawan Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 153642) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 29)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 29)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 153639) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 652571) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1965) (voucher ID: PTBG 22262) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 29) Mostly cultivated, scattered naturalized specimens.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 17)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 153644) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Kapingamarangi Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Kapingamarangi Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 153640) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 74)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 96) Vouchers cited: A. Albert 47 (NY, PTBG), A. Dores 65 (NY, PTBG), F.R. Fosberg 26124 (BISH), R. Gallen 73 (NY, PTBG), R. Gallen 73a (NY), S. Perlman 21399 (PTBG), S.H. Riesenberg 83 (BISH), F. Sohl 42 (NY, PTBG), M. Takamatsu 734 (BISH) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 153643) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 153645) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 503322) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1969) (voucher ID: PTBG 38932) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata L.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 48723) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2006) (voucher ID: PTBG 49058) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 43467) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1948) (voucher ID: BISH 153647) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 113-114) Voucher cited: Smith 7464 Sparingly naturalized.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 153624) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 153625) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 113-114) Vouchers cited: DF 409, Damanu 81, Weiner 140, DA 12107, Weiner 105 Sparingly naturalized.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1971) (voucher ID: BISH 448544) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 448624) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1989) (voucher ID: PTBG 31605) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 8553 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1987) (voucher ID: BISH 558138) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 41962) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (p. 34) Voucher cited: Fosberg 64977 (US)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1985) (voucher ID: BISH 607755) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 161) Voucher cited: H.M. Smith 144
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 153531) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 153571) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 48)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 161) Vouchers cited: Setchell & Parks 231, BRY 24826
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 3129 (PAP) Se naturalise en végétation secondaire ouverte.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 404939) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Tubuai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 310) Vouchers cited: Stone 4663 (GUAM), Stone 4739 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1919) (voucher ID: BISH 153683) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 153689) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Parker, James L./Parsons, Bobby (2012) (p. 69) Voucher cited: J. Parker & R. Parsons BIED142 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 698) Escape from cultivation.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank (2007) (pp. 24-25) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H100643 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank L./Bartlett, R. T. (2000) (p. 5) West Maui. Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H89918 (BISH) Escape from cultivation.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2003) (p. 28) East Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 001206-1 (BISH) On side of road and in pastures.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wysong, Michael/Hughes, Guy/Wood, K. R. (2007) (p. 4) Voucher cited: Wysong 536 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 698) Escape from cultivation.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 101) Not seen on this survey and may no longer be present.
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 140)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 73) Vouchers cited: MacKee 21963, MacKee 43594
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 55) Voucher cited: CHR 169772
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 25)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 60) Voucher cited: Yuncker 10220 (BISH)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 46)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 86)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1968) (voucher ID: BNM 429) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata L.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 82)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 428583) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 438016) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1967) (voucher ID: BNM 428) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata L.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 82)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 61)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 219) Common, widespread.
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced invasive	Henty, E. E./Pritchard, G. H. (1975) (p. 113)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 262) In the settled areas at low and medium altitudes, locally abundant; occasionally planted.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 71)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 153600) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 153603) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1986) (voucher ID: BISH 609269) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 68)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 28635) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1921) (voucher ID: BISH 153602) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1945) (voucher ID: BISH 153628) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1933) (voucher ID: BISH 153629) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1933) (voucher ID: BISH 153630) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 402114) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Ndeni (Santa Cruz) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1971) (voucher ID: BISH 79350) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia alata
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 89)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 55)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 75)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 56)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 68)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 37)
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive cultivated	Australian Biological Resources Study (2013)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 37)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Australian Biological Resources Study (2013)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) "Sparse forests, dry slopes. Guangdong, ?Hainan, S Yunnan".
China China	Hong Kong	introduced invasive	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 134) As Cassia alata L. In thin forests.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Indonesia Indonesia	West Papua Province (Indonesia) (western New Guinea Island) (formerly Irian Jaya)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 79) Naturalised
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 127) Garden remnant.
Comoros Comoro Islands	Comoro Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced cultivated	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) "Cultivé"
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
French Territory of Mayotte Mayotte Islands	Mayotte Island	introduced invasive	Comité français de l'Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature en France (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Comments:  Although Senna alata is often weedy, it is also a useful plant.  It is used as a medicine for ringworm and sometimes planted to improve taro patches.

Welsh (1998; p. 161) says that this species has been recently introduced as an ornamental into French Polynesia.

A declared noxious weed in the Western Australia and the Northern Territory (Smith, 2002; p. 37).

Control: 

Physical:  "Mechanical methods of control are usually ineffective because of suckering, although seedling plants may be dug out provided all roots are removed" (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; pp. 455-456).  "Mechanical controls are usually ineffective due to suckering"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Chemical:  "There is little data available about chemical control, but some control of larger infestations may be possible by slashing aerial growth close to the ground and applying picloram + 2,4-D to the cut surfaces immediately.  Triclopyr may also be useful in this way but is not yet registered for this purpose" (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; pp. 455-456).  "Susceptible to triclopyr, picloram and 2,4-D"  (Motooka et al., 2003).