Senna alata

Senna alata or Cassia alata is a member of the Fabaceae family of plants. It is also is known by the following common names, Candletree, Candelabra Bush, Candle Bush, Emperor’s Candlestick, Craw-Craw Plant, Acapulo, Christmas Candles, and Ringworm Shrub. It is native to Central and South America. It spans from Mexico to South Indies and Paraguay.

This shrub grows up to 4m or 13ft. It is tropical. And it is evergreen. The leaves close in the dark. They grow as big as 80cm or 31in. They are pinnately compound. Leaves are dark green.

You can also grow Senna alata in containers. Senna alata flowers in autumn. Senna alata produces spikes of bright yellow flowers. They are cup-shaped flowers. They have five petals. After flowering, it produces bean-like seed pods.

How to grow Senna alata:

Grow Senna alata in the full sun. Plant it in average, moist but well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant when established. Senna alata is generally disease-free. Watch out for aphids and whiteflies. Especially if you grow them indoors. Propagate from seeds. This shrub is sometimes grown as an annual.

Senna alata is a medicinal plant. They use it in the treatment of a variety of illnesses such as typhoid, malaria, ringworms, scabies, diabetes, herpes, eczema, and tinea infections.