Senna alata (L.) Roxb., Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only 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

Chuukese: arakak, arekak, yarakaak

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

Fijian: mbai ni thangi

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

Kapingamarangi: rakau honuki, tirakahonuki, tuhkehn kilin wai

Kwara‘ae: bakua

Niuean: mulamula

Palauan: kerula besokel, yult

Pohnpeian: truk-en-kili-n-wai

Samoan: fa‘i lafa, fa‘i lafa, la‘au fa‘i lafa, la‘au fa‘i lafa

Spanish: bajagua, mocoté

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

Yapese: flay-n-sabouw

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "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:  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:  Mexico

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 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	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
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
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2007)
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	Volcan Sierra Negra	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
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 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, Tim (2005) (p. 15)
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 cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (1998) (p. 20)
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 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
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 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		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 Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 404939) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
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	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) 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	Wydong, 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 (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 86)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 97)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 82)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 428583) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 438016) Taxon name on voucher: Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 82)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
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 (2005)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
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 (2007)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 37)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Australian Biological Resources Study (2007)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Colombia Colombia	Colombia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Ecuador (Mainland) Ecuador	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Indonesia Indonesia	Irian Jaya (West Papua) (Indonesia) (western New Guinea Island)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007) Naturalized
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Nicaragua Nicaragua	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Panama Panama	Panama (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Perú Perú	Perú (Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)

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 (2005)
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 (2005)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)

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).

Additional information:  Information from the book "Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide" (Motooka et al., 2003). (PDF format).

Additional online information about Senna alata is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Senna alata may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Australian Biological Resources Study. 2007. Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra.

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 0. Voucher specimen #BISH 153689 (collector unknown 50).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1919. Voucher specimen #BISH 153683 (Nelson, P. 409).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1921. Voucher specimen #BISH 153602 (Eames, A.J. 208).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1929. Voucher specimen #BISH 153573 (Wilder, G.P. 995).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1929. Voucher specimen #BISH 153603 (Christophersen, E. 668).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1933. Voucher specimen #BISH 153629 (Templeton Crocker Exedition; collector's voucher number unknown).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1933. Voucher specimen #BISH 153630 (Templeton Crocker Expedition; collector's voucher number unknown).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1934. Voucher specimen #BISH 153600 (Christophersen, E. 3045).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1934. Voucher specimen #BISH 404939 (Fosberg, F.R. 12037).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1935. Voucher specimen #BISH 153646 (Takamatsu, M. 276).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1936. Voucher specimen #BISH 153644 (Takamatsu, M. 479).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1936. Voucher specimen #BISH 153645 (Takamatsu, M. 734).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1945. Voucher specimen #BISH 153628 (Riley, J.C. 3).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 153640 (Fosberg, F.R. 26124).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 153641 (Pelzer, K.J. 27).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1947. Voucher specimen #BISH 153643 (Riesenberg, S.H. 83).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1947. Voucher specimen #BISH 402114 (Giffen 38).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1948. Voucher specimen #BISH 153647 (Wong, C.C.Y. 516).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1949. Voucher specimen #BISH 153639 (Anderson, D. 755).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1949. Voucher specimen #BISH 153642 (Anderson, D. 979).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1953. Voucher specimen #BISH 153624 (Smith, A.C. 7464).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1953. Voucher specimen #BISH 153625 (Smith, A.C. 7464).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1959. Voucher specimen #BISH 153601 (Wisner, A.W. 97).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1965. Voucher specimen #BISH 652571 (Evans, M. 1398).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1967. Voucher specimen #BISH 153531 (Smith, H.M. 144).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1967. Voucher specimen #BISH 153571 (Smith, H.M. 144).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1967. Voucher specimen #BISH 428583 (Emmons, B. 44).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1967. Voucher specimen #BISH 438016 (Emmons, B. 44).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1968. Voucher specimen #BISH 28635 (Bristol. M.L. 2104).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1971. Voucher specimen #BISH 79350 (Yen, D.E. 19950).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1971. Voucher specimen #BISH 448544 (Weiner, M.A. MW-71-7-105).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1972. Voucher specimen #BISH 448624 (Weiner, M.A. MW-72-F-140).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1975. Voucher specimen #BISH 430363 (Whistler, W.A. W 2837).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1978. Voucher specimen #BISH 503322 (Stemmermann, R.L. 3435).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1982. Voucher specimen #BISH 593727 (Herbst, D.R. 6822).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1985. Voucher specimen #BISH 607755 (Fosberg, F.R. 64977).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1986. Voucher specimen #BISH 609269 (Cox, P.A. 998).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1987. Voucher specimen #BISH 558138 (Florence, J. 8553).

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