Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, Fabaceae

Click on an image for links to BIGGER PICTURES

Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Low risk (based on second screen), score: 5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Cassia siamea Lam.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: cassod tree, kassod tree, pheasantwood, Siamese senna, Thai cassia, Thailand shower

French: bois perdrix

Spanish: flamboyán amarillo

Tongan: kasia

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Tree, to 30 m tall, spreading, pubescent on the leaf undersides and inflorescence, soon glabrescent.  Leaves (10-) 15-20 (-35) cm long including a terete petiole 25-40 mm long; stipules minute, subulate, persistent; leaflets in (4-) 6-8 (-16) pairs spaced 15-30 mm apart, stipules minute, subulate, persistent; leaflets in (4-) 6-8 (-16) pairs spaced 15-30 mm apart, oblong, 30-50 (-75) mm long, (12-) 20-30 mm wide, increasing medially or distally, emarginate and mucronulate; glands absent, replaced by transverse bars between the leaflets.  Inflorescences of 10-20 (-60) flowers, in upper axils, forming a many-flowered panicle to 40 cm long; peduncles 15-25 mm long; pedicels 15-20 (-35) mm long; bracts subpersistent.  Petals (10-) 15-25 mm long.  Fertile stamens 7 or 10 (with 3 large staminodes); filaments unequal, the lateral abaxial ones 7-12 mm long, the others 2.5-5.5 mm long; anthers subequal, weakly beaked, 5-8 mm long, opening by one U-shaped pore.  Pod flat, 15-25 (-30) cm long, 10-15 mm wide, straight but laterally curved, entire.  Seeds lustrous, with a narrowly spathulate areole"  (Randell and Barlow, 1998; pp. 127-128).

Habitat/ecology:  "Prefers fertile, moist soils.  In northern Queensland, it has invaded forests near towns and is spreading along river banks on the lower Cape York Peninsula, particularly on the Laura River on the lower Cape York Peninsula" (Smith, 2002; p. 23).

Propagation:  Scarified seed (Bodkin, 1986, cited in Csurhes & Edwards, 1998). "Seed pods spread by water. Plants spread intentionally for shelter and ornamentation." (Smith, 2002; p. 23).

Native range:  India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2007)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 83)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 99)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 99)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (p. 109) Vouchers cited: DF 309, Damanu 32, Tothill 140, DA 16408, DA 12060, DA 12358 Sometimes established on roadsides and in parks.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1961) (voucher ID: BISH 32829) Taxon name on voucher: Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1969) (voucher ID: BISH 32830) Taxon name on voucher: Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 162) Voucher cited: Florence 2519, BRY 25971
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 23)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 491496) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia siamea
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1994) (voucher ID: BISH 639447) Taxon name on voucher: Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 554189) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia siamea
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 99)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawaiian Islands	introduced cultivated	Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral/Imada, Clyde T. (2000) (p. 22)
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 74) Vouchers cited: Metzger 42, Baumann 9943, Benoit in MacKee 36601
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 12)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 14, 86) Single tree.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 99)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1967) (voucher ID: BISH 428580) Taxon name on voucher: Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 652580) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia siamea
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 652581) Taxon name on voucher: Cassia siamea
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)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced cultivated	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 56)

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	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 98)
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive cultivated	Australian Biological Resources Study (2007)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 98)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Australian Biological Resources Study (2007)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Colombia Colombia	Colombia (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
El Salvador El Salvador	El Salvador (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	uncertain if native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	uncertain if native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Panama Panama	Panama (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Taiwan Taiwan	Taiwan Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	introduced	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
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)

Comments:  Invasive on the Cape York Peninsula, Australia (Csurhes, S. and R. Edwards, 1998; p. 98). Weedy on Tahiti (Welsh, 1998; p. 162).

Additional information:  Fact sheet from Winrock International.
Fact sheet from "Common forest trees of Hawaii" (PDF format).
Information from the World Agroforestry Centre's AgroForestryTree Database.

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

Taxonomic information about Senna siamea 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). 1950. Voucher specimen #BISH 652580 (Fosberg, F.R. 32344).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1950. Voucher specimen #BISH 652581 (Fosberg, F.R. 32377).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1961. Voucher specimen #BISH 32829 (Pillay, S. 12358).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1967. Voucher specimen #BISH 428580 (Emmons, B. 40).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1969. Voucher specimen #BISH 32830 (Vodonaivalu, S. 16408).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1982. Voucher specimen #BISH 491496 (Florence, J. 2519).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1983. Voucher specimen #BISH 554189 (Florence, J. 6197).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1994. Voucher specimen #BISH 639447 (Welsh, S.L. 25971).

Charles Darwin Research Station. 2005. CDRS Herbarium records.

Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. 1998. Potential environmental weeds in Australia: Candidate species for preventative control. Canberra, Australia. Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia. 208 pp.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce. 1979. A geographical checklist of the Micronesian dicotyledonae. Micronesica 15:1-295.

Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. 1988. Flora of the Solomon Islands. Research Bulletin No. 7. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Honiara. 203 pp.

ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre. 2005. International Legume Database & Information Service. Online searchable database.

Kato, Hidetoshi. 2007. Herbarium records of Makino Herbarium, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Personal communication.

Little, Elbert L./Skolmen, Roger G. 1989. Common forest trees of Hawaii (native and introduced). USDA Agriculture Handbook 679. Washington, D.C. 377 pp. + plates.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

McCarthy, Patrick M., ec. 1998. Flora of Australia. Vol. 12, Mimosaceae (excluding Acacia, Caesalpiniaceae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

McCormack, Gerald. 2007. Cook Islands biodiversity and natural heritage. On-line database.

Smith, Albert C. 1985. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 3. 758 pp.

Smith, Nicholas M. 2002. Weeds of the wet/dry tropics of Australia - a field guide. Environment Centre NT, Inc. 112 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of the Cook Islands on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 146 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate. 2004. Report to the Government of Niue and the United Nations Development Programme: Invasive plant species on Niue following Cyclone Heta. UNDP NIU/98/G31 - Niue Enabling Activity. 80 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar. 2003. Report to the Republic of Palau on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 174 pp.

Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral/Imada, Clyde T. 2000. Survey of invasive or potentially invasive cultivated plants in Hawai‘i. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers No. 65. 35 pp.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2007. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Welsh, S. L. 1998. Flora Societensis: A summary revision of the flowering plants of the Society Islands. E.P.S. Inc., Orem, Utah. 420 pp.