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Flowers of Zihuatanejo

Flor de San Jose

Senna atomaria

Flowers by Colour

-Plants (Kingdom Plantae)

-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)

-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)

-Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)

-Legumes, Milkworts, and Allies (Order Fabales)

-Legumes (Family Fabaceae)

-Subfamily Faboideae

-Tribe Cassieae

-Subtribe Cassiinae

-Sennas Genus Senna

-Flor de San Jose (Senna atomaria)


Flor de San José (Senna atomaria), also known as the rodwood senna or cassia shrub, is a flowering legume native to tropical regions of the Americas, including Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is a small tree or large shrub that can grow up to 5 meters tall, with slender branches and pinnate leaves composed of many small, oval leaflets. During its blooming season, it produces clusters of bright yellow, five-petaled flowers that attract bees and butterflies. The plant later forms slender, brown seed pods typical of the legume family.

Description

• Senna atomaria is a shrub or small tree in the legume family (Fabaceae), sometimes known as a smoky senna.

• It typically has pinnate leaves with several pairs of oval leaflets and produces clusters of yellow flowers.

• Its flowers develop into elongated, flattened to cylindrical seed pods that turn brown as they mature.

• The foliage and young branches may have a fine, greyish or dusty appearance, reflected in the species name.

Range

• Senna atomaria is native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean and northern South America.

• It occurs in the Zihuatanejo region of Guerrero, Mexico, where it is associated with tropical dry vegetation.

Habitat

• Grows in seasonally dry tropical forests, thorn scrub, open woodland, and disturbed areas.

• Commonly found in sunny locations with well-drained soils and a pronounced dry season.

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